A Michigan mother was sentenced on Monday for torturing and murdering her blind 3-year-old son before stuffing his body in a freezer.
Azuradee France, 33, was charged in 2022 by the Wayne County Prosecutor with first-degree child abuse, torture, and concealing the death of an individual. Two years later, on July 12, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Chayse Allen.
France’s attorney, Lillian Diallo, told Newsweek the mother’s other charges — first-degree child abuse, torture, and concealing a death — were dismissed and she has agreed to a prison sentence of 35 to 60 years.
“It was very difficult. It was a very intense sentencing because what you must understand is everybody failed this kid,” Diallo said. “This kid could have got some relief or some kind of help. He didn’t get that help and now everyone wants to point fingers, it’s outrageous.”
France told police she kicked her son in the chest out of frustration when he wouldn’t eat in March 2022. The next morning, she found him unresponsive. She admitted she didn’t call 911 out of fear authorities would take her other children away, according to The Detroit Times.
France placed her son’s body in a bag, took it to the basement, and put it in the freezer. Police discovered the body three months later in June during a welfare check at France’s home, finding Chayse’s remains severely decomposed.
After an anonymous call, Child Protective Services were contacted, and three officers responded to conduct the welfare check, interviewing France.
Family members said this wasn’t the first time CPS was called to the residence; they had been contacted at least 13 other times.
“The discovery would not have been possible without officers’ intuition, ” Chief James E. White said in a press conference. “When they talked to the occupant [France] of the home, they recognized there was something not right about the conversation and the way the occupant was communicating.”
The chief said the discovery of the boy’s body shocked not only him but also all the investigators involved in the case.
“It’s a tragic situation, there’s five other kids in the home and as you could imagine they’re all going to be suffering from some level of trauma,” White said.
Captain Kimberly Blackwell said in the conference Child Protective Services worked with the remaining children, placing them in homes. They also went to the Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center.
The advocacy center works with children impacted by abuse. Services include forensic interviewing, advocacy, onsite medical evaluations, mental health services and outreach and prevention programming.
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