HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Arnelle Floyd posted a touching tribute to her 6-month-old daughter, Nalani Allen, after the child died on Mother’s Day.
The Facebook post contained a caption that read, in part, “On May 12th, 2024, my first Mother’s Day, my child passed away. Nalani was my world.”
Later in the week, Floyd, along with Nalani’s father, Nathan Allen, would be accused of murdering her. Both are 24 years old.
Miami-Dade police arrested the Homestead parents on first-degree murder charges Wednesday.
Neighbors in the Villa Portofino community, off Northeast 8th Street and 21st Place, described hearing the news and the disturbing details that led to Nalani’s death.
“It is very sad to see a little child like that go like that,” neighbor Jason Davis said.
The two were arrested after bringing the child to Homestead Hospital, where police said doctors determined the baby had no pulse and severe signs of child abuse. Nalani was pronounced dead an hour after her arrival.
“I didn’t know that,” neighbor Marie Adolph said. “My cousin just told me and I was like, ‘That is crazy. If you didn’t want kids, why have kids?’”
During a search warrant at their home, police reported the house “in disarray as well as multiple holes in the walls the size of a fist, as well as dents in the refrigerator door which appear to be shaped in the size of a fist.”
Arrest reports state that a neighbor reported several occasions of domestic violence in the home.
Local 10 News tried to speak with the neighbor living next door.
All she said was that the details will surface in court and she had no other comment.
Floyd and Allen remain held without bond.