Amari Nicholson

Amari Nicholson: Grisly details in tot’s death reveal rage over potty training, bitter breakup days before murder [Police]

A Nevada man accused of killing his girlfriend’s toddler son apparently got upset because the child soiled his clothes, according to reports.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, 2-year-old Amari Nicholson’s body was found at a complex close to the Emerald Suites in Las Vegas on Wednesday. The child was staying with his mother’s boyfriend, Terrell Rhodes, at Emerald Suites when he vanished.

Previous reports indicated that the boy vanished on May 6, but a 911 dispatch call revealed that the boy’s mother contacted police on May 5.

According to police, Nicholson left the child in the care of Rhodes on April 30, then left for Colorado to help her mother, who recently underwent surgery. On May 3, Nicholson broke up with Rhodes via text message, according to what she told police.

“During the trip, Tayler and Terrell argued over telephone calls and through text messages,” police wrote, according to the affidavit obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “During a particular text argument on 5-3-21 at approximately (3:35 a.m.), Tayler indicated the relationship was over and she told Terrell someone would be stopping by the apartment later (in the day) apparently to collect her belongings.”

On May 5, Rhodes called Nicholson and told her that Amari’s paternal aunt knocked on his door at around 6 a.m. and took the boy. Nicholson called police from Colorado to report the boy had been kidnapped.

According to the arrest affidavit, police first thought the case was “a civil matter over a possible child custody dispute.”

Amari Nicholson
Amari Nicholson/Handout

Nicholson said she admitted she told Rhodes that “someone would be stopping by” after the couple got into an argument. Nicholson never said who would be stopping by or why, but Rhodes said he still had the message “in his head” when the woman picked up Amari.

After faced with evidence, including a bag of soiled children’s clothing and blood on the walls at Rhodes’ apartment, he allegedly confessed to killing the child.

The arrest affidavit indicates that Rhodes became infuriated after Armani soiled himself several times. Rhodes admitted that he hit the boy with a closed fist numerous times until the child passed out and started turning blue.

“Amari urinated in his clothing several times,” police said, according to what Rhodes explained. “Terrell was upset and struck Amari approximately three to four times in the body with a closed fist. At some point, Amari turned blue and purple in the face and stopped breathing.”

Rhodes told investigators that he attempted CPR but was unsuccessful.

“Terrell laid Amari on the floor and attempted [CPR] but was unable to revive Amari,” police wrote. “Terrell carried Amari’s lifeless body out of the apartment and disposed of Amari at a different location.”

Amari Nicholson /Handout

Nicholson posted on Facebook Tuesday night that she “never knew anything” about what happened to her son or what Rhodes did to him. The Facebook post has since been deleted.

“He did this he never said anything to me about his involvement,” the Facebook post continued. “I trusted him and he betrayed me. He took my whole world from me. My son comes first before anybody!!”

Rhodes remains behind bars without bail. He’s expected to face additional charges after grabbing an officer’s gun during the arrest process. Authorities said the incident was quickly de-escalated.

Check back for updates.

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[Feature Photo: Amari Nicholson/Handout]