Mother and son arrested in deaths of Teangela Tate and her toddler found on side of Arkansas interstate
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: As reported by Crime Online, Arkansas law enforcement has arrested two individuals linked to the inquiry concerning the homicides of a mother and her baby, discovered deceased by the side of a highway.
Officials from the North Little Rock Police Department have detained 43-year-old Willie Mott Jr and 70-year-old Diane Mott in connection to the demise of 27-year-old Teangela Tate and her infant son, Noel Tate.
Additionally, a second child, aged 1.5 years, was also located at the scene and has been hospitalized.
Detectives identified Willie Mott Jr as a person of interest
According to KARK, NLRPD detectives identified Willie Mott Jr as a person of interest in the case on Tuesday.
That same night, members of the United States Marshal Eastern District Fugitive Task Force located him at a residence in Jacksonville.
Willie was apprehended on unrelated arrest warrants and transferred to the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility.
Subsequently, NLRPD detectives obtained warrants and collaborated with the Jacksonville Police Department to conduct searches in both cities.
During a search of Willie's Jacksonville apartment on Jeff Davis Road, where he resided, detectives discovered that he and dead Tate were in a relationship and lived together at the property.
Detectives suspect that Willie fatally shot Tate at the apartment.
They also determined that he was the father of the deceased infant.
However, authorities have not disclosed the cause of the baby's death yet.
While incarcerated, Willie faced additional charges, as authorities issued new warrants against him.
Police revealed that he now confronts two counts of capital murder along with a charge of attempted capital murder linked to the second child discovered at the scene.
Second arrest made in the death of Teangela Tate and Noel Tate
Another individual has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a mother and toddler.
Authorities disclosed that Diane Mott, the mother of Willie Mott Jr., was apprehended on Wednesday.
She is currently held at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility on charges of hindering apprehension or prosecution and tampering with physical evidence.
Willie Mott Jr is set to appear in North Little Rock District Court on Saturday morning.
Officials from the North Little Rock Police Department emphasized that the investigation into this case is ongoing.
They urge anyone with information to call the NLRPD tip line at 501-680-8439 or contact Detective Gibbons at 501-771-7149. Tipsters can choose to remain anonymous.
