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2-year-old Maliyah Bass' death ruled a homicide, medical examiner confirms

The Houston toddler was found dead in Bray's Bayou in August after her mother reported her missing.

HOUSTON — The cause of death of Maliyah Bass has been ruled a homicide, medical examiners confirmed Friday.

The 2-year-old was found dead in Bray's Bayou in August after her mother reported her missing. Police say Sahara Ervin claimed she left the toddler alone for a few minutes in the Sunset Crossing apartment’s courtyard a day before a jogger made the heartbreaking discovery in the bayou. 

Since then, Ervin and her boyfriend, 21-year-old Travion Thompson, have been charged in connection with Maliyah's death

There are still many unanswered questions about this case including the timeline of when Maliyah went missing and how exactly she died. 

Credit: HPD
L to R: Sahara Ervin, 20, and Travion Thompson, 21

Prosecutors allege that Ervin and her boyfriend injured Maliyah and, after she died, they put her body in a storm drain where the child's remains floated about 20 miles to the bayou.

Prosecutors added that Thompson was seen on surveillance camera with a trash can.

Ervin's next court date is scheduled for Dec. 16. Thompson's next court date is Dec. 17. Both have been charged with tampering with evidence. 

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