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After more than a year since Kenny “Bubs” Gamble, 2, died from apparent signs of abuse, his mother has turned herself over to the Sierra Vista Police Department while her boyfriend remained at large — both accused of abusing and killing the toddler in June 2020.
Alysha Hop, 25, was arrested Wednesday after she turned herself in following a warrant issued on Aug. 27 for her and her boyfriend, Daniel Foster, 30.
According to a release from the Sierra Vista Police Department, at around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Alysha turned herself into the Sierra Vista Police Department.
The Cochise County Grand Jury indicted Alysha and Foster on Aug. 26 on four counts of first-degree murder and three counts of child abuse for the death of Kenny.
Kenny was hospitalized on June 3, 2020, and died days later. After viewing the medical examiner’s report and interviewing hospital staff, investigators determined the child had died from blunt force trauma to the head and lack of oxygen flow to the brain, according to Sierra Vista police.
It was also determined that the injuries were inflicted while Alysha and Foster were the sole caretakers of the child.
‘I lost two people: my nephew and my sister’
Alysha’s brother, Kyle Hop, told The Arizona Republic that he believes his sister “didn’t physically do it,” calling for help from the Arizona community to help locate Foster and bring justice for his nephew.
He described his nephew Kenny as a vibrant joy who was always full of energy.
“He was always smiling,” Kyle said. “I don’t think I ever saw him crying or upset.”
According to Kyle, Alysha was in a relationship with Kenny’s father for a few years before splitting up.
Kyle said he and his family knew something was not right when they started to receive phone calls from random people who would let them know of encounters with Alysha and share concerns for the boy’s welfare.
Kyle said the family did not get to see the kids very often, as Alysha had become defensive and closed-off when it came to letting them see Kenny.
According to Kyle, Foster was no stranger as he was a friend of the family even before dating Alysha. He would attend dinners or play football with Kyle and his brothers, he said.
But as soon as the two started dating, “that’s when she just started shutting us out and not wanting to be around us,” Kyle said.
“I lost two people: my nephew and my sister,” Hop said.
“I know, she didn’t physically do it,” he said. “But I know she either knows about it and is covering for him and she’s just taking his side over her own kid.”
#JusticeforBubs on social media
In 2020, the hashtag #JusticeforBubs was created and photos of Kenny shared on social media as the investigation into the 2-year-old’s death was ongoing. Since the indictment of Alysha and Foster, the hashtag has once again been shared on social media, with the hopes that Foster will be apprehended soon.
Family memories and photos of Kenny’s heartwarming smile have been shared on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Twitter under the hashtag.
Kyle said that the Hop Family is thankful for the widespread love and support from the community.
“I just want to thank the community and everybody else who has been sharing and looking out for Daniel Foster,” Kyle said. “Don’t think it’s not being noticed and not being appreciated. Our family is very thankful.”
Alysha was booked into Cochise County Jail where she is currently being held on a $1 million bond.
As of Friday afternoon, Foster remained at large and police believe him to have fled the area.
Sierra Vista police and the U.S. Marshals Service have asked anyone with information regarding Foster’s whereabouts to contact Detective Paul Youman at 520-452-7500.
Reach breaking news reporter Salma Reyes at [email protected] or on Twitter @r_salma_
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