On September 3, 2023, 18-month-old Ja’Liyah Amora Allen was fatally shot inside a Palm Coast residence in Flagler County, Florida. Ja’Liyah was in the home with eight adults; her father, Ja’Mari Allen, was not present. A 911 caller said a man handling a gun told them it accidentally went off and struck the child in the head. Ja’Liyah was taken to a hospital and later died of her injuries.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office identified a person of interest and arrested 21-year-old CJ Nelson on unrelated weapons and probation violations at first. Investigators later concluded the weapon was a multi-caliber assault pistol that discharged while Nelson was handling it in a bedroom; the round traveled through a wall and struck Ja’Liyah. Nelson Jr. was arrested and charged with manslaughter in January 2024. Authorities allege Nelson Sr. wiped the gun, told his son to shower, and urged witnesses to give a false alibi; he was charged with tampering with evidence and providing false information. Investigators say the scene had been altered and people present were not truthful.

Anyone who was in that residence or who has additional information about what happened that night is asked to come forward.