The body of a pregnant mother was tragically discovered on a dirt road in Mexico, four months after she vanished with her seven children. Makala Pendley, 30, was found on June 8, with her cause of death reported as a traumatic brain injury resulting from blunt-force trauma.
Discovery and Investigation
According to The Mirror, Pendley's body is believed to have been dumped between eight and 12 hours before officials found it. Her sister, Maurica Lambert, revealed that Makala had informed local outlets she was at least six months pregnant at the time of her disappearance.
Her children were located and are now reported to be under the protection of authorities. Pendley and her children were reported missing by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in Indiana back in February.
Her remains were discovered in the Zanicantan area of the Mexican state of Chiapas, over 2,000 miles away from her home.
Official Statements
Chiapas state prosecutor Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca stated: "They (the children) are under the protection of the authorities, while the necessary arrangements are being made with the United States Embassy so that relatives can take custody of them."
Pendley's partner, identified only as Joseph "N," has been arrested and is being held in custody. Abarca confirmed he is the main suspect in the case.
Family Tributes
Speaking to Fox59, Maurica Lambert paid tribute to her sister: "She was a good mom. As moms, you know, we have our bad days, you know what I mean? And she was a good mom, though. She put her kids before she put anything."
An Indianapolis spokesperson told the Indianapolis Star that Mexican authorities initially took the children into custody last month before releasing them to Makala. Her cousin, Jami Dowdy, spoke with WTHR 13News about what she would miss most: "Her laughter, everything about Makala, she was just…whenever you seen her, no matter what she was going through, her eyes lit up. The biggest thing right now in this moment is getting our children back over here where they belong with their family who loves them and is going to raise them."
Lambert confirmed to Fox59 that her nieces and nephews will return to Indianapolis along with their mother's body.
