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15-year-old charged in death of south city nurse killed in East St. Louis

"To be honest, it’s a hell of a relief," said Erin Randall. "He left my mom in the street like a piece of trash."

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A 15-year-old boy has been charged in the death of a south city nurse killed in East St. Louis, according to Illinois State Police.

St. Clair County State's Attorney James Gomric has charged a 15-year-old boy with one count of each first-degree murder and aggravated vehicular hijacking. 

In an exclusive interview, Harriett Childers ' daughter, Erin Randall, described her feelings about the boy's arrest as "pure relief."

"To be honest, it’s a hell of a relief," Randall said. "He left my mom in the street like a piece of trash."

Around 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 27, 2022, the East St. Louis Police Department found Childers, 49, suffering from a gunshot wound in the 1800 block of Gaty Avenue. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was a full-time nurse at  SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis and had been driving for the rideshare service Uber when the shooting happened, Illinois State Police said.

“My mom was my best friend. She was understanding. She was helpful. She was loving. I miss her jokes, her love of music and her love of cooking,” Randall. said. “Mom loved working at that hospital. She loved the babies and every child she encountered. You’ll see how big her smile was and how easily it could light up a room."

READ: ‘My heart goes out to the husband and children’: South city nurse found dead in East St. Louis

East St. Louis police requested the assistance of the Illinois State Police's Public Safety Enforcement Group to conduct an investigation. 

The 15-year-old, who lives in East St. Louis, was charged on Friday after a nearly year-long investigation. He was being held at the St. Clair Juvenile Detention Center. 

“I found out earlier today about the arrest," Randall said. "I don’t wish him well. I don’t wish him the best and whoever encouraged this should be disappointed. We cannot bring my mom back, but I feel like justice for my mom will be her seeing her family heal from this eventually. My birthday is next Wednesday, and it will be hard because it will be my first birthday without my mom. Unfortunately, it’s my reality and she always taught me to be a strong woman and I know she’s with me in spirit."

Uber on Friday released the following statement:

“We are grateful to law enforcement for their unwavering efforts to seek justice for Harriett over the past year. We continue to keep her loved ones in our hearts and hope this development helps provide a sense of closure.”

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