Mom Killed, 4-Year-Old Abandoned at Rest Stop

Ohio police are trying to piece together clues from a home invasion robbery, murder and kidnapping after a 4-year-old boy was found by travelers at an Interstate rest stop. Authorities are searching for a suspect who killed 29-year-old Jennifer Nelson and fled her Harrison Township home in a stolen car.

Police are searching for a white male who may be connected to Ohio State University.

Authorities were alerted to the situation after a Baltimore couple, traveling on Interstate 70 near Dayton, found an abandoned boy at a rest stop.

"He said, 'I'm alone here. I was dropped off by this man who took all our stuff, and he has a gun,' " Judith McConnell said.

"I began asking him questions, and he told me that a stranger had come into his house without knocking," Mike McConnell said via satellite from Baltimore. "And I said 'Well, where was your mommy?' And he said 'He shot my mommy.'At that point I knew there was something seriously wrong, and of course we were calling 9-1-1."

Looking for the Killer

The suspect was described as a white male by the boy. After he shot Jennifer Nelson, he apparently stole two computers and left the scene in Jennifer's mother's car. The stolen car was found Sunday in the parking lot of the Westland Flea Market in Columbus.

Family members believe that the home invasion may be linked to an early incident in which Jennifer's car was stolen. Her Honda was taken from a University parking lot a week before Christmas while she and her husband Eddie were at a concert on campus. The car was not seen again until it was spotted near the Nelson's home after the murder.

Police think information in the Honda led the killer to the Nelson's home in Harrison Township.

"Whoever busted in had their address and came back for whatever reason," said Vickie Nelson, Eddie's mother. "Jenny did not know them. My son works three jobs to try to take care of his family and she's a stay-at-home mom. She didn't have enemies."

Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer said Eddie Nelson was at work at the time of the incident and is not a suspect. Plummer's investigators are processing fingerprint and other evidence gathered from the home, the Honda and the stolen Oldsmobile Alero.

See Also:
Car Found At Flea Market May Be Connected To Woman's Slaying
Abandoned Toddler Leads Ohio Police to Slain Mom

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^{Photo: Family Photo}