A Nebraska mother covered her 9-month-old daughter's head with a blanket and held it down as the baby screamed in distress, suffocating the infant nearly four years to the day after her former partner was convicted of killing their other child, authorities say.
Background
Alyssa Parkins, 27, of Alliance, Nebraska, is now facing homicide charges in connection with the death of her infant daughter—less than five years after Riley Lenhart, her ex-boyfriend, killed their 10-month-old daughter, M.L., on June 19, 2022. That child died from ligature strangulation while Parkins was at work, according to court records. Lenhart was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 60 years to life in prison for that killing.
On June 22, 2026, the Box Butte County Sheriff's Office responded to Box Butte General Hospital regarding the infant's death. During the initial investigation, detectives identified numerous concerns that prompted an extensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the child's passing, according to a department press release.
When Parkins brought her daughter to the hospital, she told medical staff the child had choked on a cracker but managed to clear most of it. She claimed she found the girl unresponsive later that same day and transported her to the facility without calling 911 first, NBC affiliate KNOP reported.
Investigators discovered troubling conditions at Parkins' residence during a search warrant execution. The child's feet were described as "almost black with dirt," and her scalp exhibited "scaly, dead skin" throughout, according to court documents cited by KNOP. The home lacked running water, contained little food, and the bathroom was filled with dogs and feces.
The Charges
Parkins has been arrested and charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death, a Class IB felony; strangulation resulting in death, a Class IIA felony; and two separate counts of intentional child abuse not resulting in injury or death, both Class IIIA felonies. Under Nebraska law, a Class IB felony carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction.
The Box Butte County Sheriff's Office announced the charges following an extensive investigation into the infant's death. A second child—Parkins' son—informed police that she frequently disciplined her children by spanking them, according to court documents obtained by KNOP.
Lenhart has attempted to appeal his conviction for killing M.L., but the Nebraska Supreme Court denied his challenge in October 2024. The state's highest court noted bruising and other injuries to the front and sides of the infant's neck that led a forensic pathologist to determine her death was caused by ligature strangulation.
Key Takeaways
- Parkins allegedly suffocated her 9-month-old daughter using a blanket while the infant was crying hysterically
- This marks the second child death investigation involving Parkins in under five years; her ex-partner Lenhart is already serving 60 years to life for killing their other daughter in 2022
- The alleged crime occurred nearly four years to the day after M.L.'s death on June 19, 2022
- Investigators found deplorable living conditions at Parkins' home, including no running water and a feces-filled bathroom
- Lenhart's appeal of his conviction was denied by the Nebraska Supreme Court in October 2024
What's Next
Parkins remains in custody pending formal arraignment proceedings. The Box Butte County Attorney's Office is expected to pursue the charges as filed, with prosecutors seeking convictions on both homicide-level counts. Defense counsel has not yet issued a public statement regarding the allegations.
The investigation into Parkins' conduct continues, and authorities have not indicated whether additional charges may be forthcoming related to the living conditions discovered at her residence or the care of other children in the home.