Photo: Facebook
He waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
By Amy Lamare — Written on Sep 17, 2019
On May 30, 17-year-old Mercedes Chico-Sims was found dead near a community swimming pool in Roswell, Georgia, 25 miles north of Atlanta. Elijah Foster, 18, has been arrested and accused of concealing Mercedes' death. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Foster lives in the apartment complex where Chico-Sims' body was found by a maintenance worker. There were "obvious signs of trauma" on the teenager's body. Foster has been in trouble with the law before. He's facing a statutory rape charge in another case and he has also been charged with multiple theft and burglary charges in the past. Who is Mercedes Chico-Sims?
1. She was messaging a man on Snapchat when she disappeared
Mercedes Chico-Sims' mother told the Johns Creek Police department that her daughter regularly snuck out of the house during the night but was always home by morning. Her behavior was characterized as typical teenager stuff. Mercedes was messaging a man on her Snapchat account on the night she disappeared. The man said that she was supposed to come to his house, but she never arrived. Her Snapchat account shows no activity after that.
2. She was also supposed to meet a friend that night
Chico-Sims' friend Savannah Howard told WSB-TV that Mercedes was supposed to meet up with her but never showed up Howard told the television station: “It was so unexpected. I was shocked. I felt sick to my stomach. She had the biggest heart ever. She always had a smile on her face, even when she was going through rough times.”
3. Elijah Foster has not been charged with killing Mercedes
Foster has been charged with concealing a death but not with murder — yet. The Fulton County District Attorney's Office said: "The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and the Roswell Police Department are yet to receive the complete autopsy report from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. Once we receive that report, we will make an official charging decision within 30 days.”
4. Her parents want answers
Tiffany Sims, Mercedes' mom, said: “I just miss her so much. She was my best friend. Someone should never have their life shortened like that and face evil like that. We want justice. We want answers. We want the truth. I feel like whatever the truth is that justice will be served accordingly.” Sims indicated that she confronted Elijah Foster on the day her daughter's body was found.“At the time when he said he didn’t know where she was or hadn’t seen her. He showed no remorse. No remorse whatsoever.. She was such an open spirit. She loved everyone. She trusted everyone, always smiled even when times are hard.” Mercedes' dad, Roger Hazelwood said: “She was more than just a daughter. She was a friend to a lot of people. She will be missed.”
5. Parents' statement
Mercedes Chico-Sims' parents issued a statement saying: "Beyond our grief, our commitment is to honor and remember the life of Mercedes with the support of our family and friends. If anyone has any information that will help in the investigation into Mercedes’ death, please notify the police immediately ... Please remember Mercedes as you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. We miss you Mercedes.”
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based writer and editor covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.