Hunter had a history of child abuse. Years earlier, in California, she was convicted of abusing her children, including whipping them and hitting them with sticks. Her ex-husband, Jhessye’s father, was also involved and is still in prison. After serving part of her sentence, Hunter regained custody of her children.

Around the time Jhessye disappeared, a woman was seen putting a girl resembling Jhessye into a car. Despite this, police focused on Hunter. Jhessye’s older siblings told investigators that Hunter had kept Jhessye locked in a closet for weeks, starving her. They described the closet smelling like death and said Hunter cleaned the apartment intensely before reporting Jhessye missing. The siblings also said they had seen bruises on Jhessye.

Hunter was arrested and charged with child abuse, but released due to legal technicalities. Later, she was charged with murder. Although she claimed Jhessye was abducted, the evidence pointed to her guilt. A search of a landfill yielded no remains.

At her trial in 2015, Hunter’s lawyer said Jhessye was still alive. However, Hunter was found guilty of murder and child abuse and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Jhessye’s body has never been found. Jhessye’s extended family later sued the state, police, and child protective services, claiming negligence in returning Jhessye to her abusive mother.