Andrea Sanchez lights candles that spell out “Amari” at a vigil for Amari Nicholson, 2, outside the Emerald Suites on Paradise Road on May 12, 2021.
Wednesday, May 12, 2021 | 9:45 p.m.
The attendees of a vigil for a toddler found dead in Las Vegas just hours earlier shared hugs, tears and gratitude to God. They also amplified a cautionary message for parents to protect their children and to “hug your babies; love your babies.”
The more than 100 people on Wednesday honored the memory of 2-year-old Amari Nicholson, whose remains were recovered a week after he was reported missing from an extended-stay hotel, 3684 Paradise Road.
A day earlier, Metro Police arrested his mother’s boyfriend, Terrell Rhodes, 27, on a murder count. Participants of all ages surrounded a growing memorial assembled outside the complex. They set down flowers, stuffed bears and toys. Dozens of candles flickered, and balloons swayed in the sultry wind. A small clay figurine of an angel had “sweet boy” and “Amari” written on it.
Arielle Mathews, a family friend, broadcast the vigil for Amari’s maternal grandmother, Carrie Howard, who tuned in from Colorado. Both women sobbed as Mathews flashed her phone, showing her the support Amari’s loved ones have in Las Vegas.
“We may have him, we may have (the suspect), but the fight is not over,” Mathews told attendees. “Justice for Amari,” she shouted, as the crowd clamored back: “Justice for Amari!”
Another woman led a prayer, asking God for “peace and understanding” for Amari’s biological parents, his family — and even Rhodes.
Another woman proclaimed, “We don’t want these kids getting hurt like this anymore. This is terrible!”
Then she addressed Howard, “Give it to God,” she said of her pain. “God got this.”
“I love you; thank you,” Howard could be heard saying over the video call.
Rhodes initially told police that a woman claiming to be the toddler’s aunt came to pick him up early in the morning on May 5. Amari’s mother, Tayler Nicholson, was in Colorado tending to her mother following a surgery and had left her son in the care of her boyfriend.
Both appeared in a TV interview two days later, amplifying the theory that Amari had been “kidnapped.”
Sometime between then and Tuesday, the narrative faltered, and Metro arrested Rhodes. He was denied bail in his first court appearance Wednesday morning, Las Vegas Justice Court logs show.
Metro has shared little information on what led to the allegations of murder. A copy of Rhodes’ arrest report hasn’t been released.
On Wednesday afternoon, police said that Amari’s body had been recovered about 400 feet from Rhodes’ and Nicholson’s apartment complex.
Through tears at the vigil, Nichole Grossman — who runs a missing person Facebook group — said she passed out hundreds of fliers for a week, when the dozens of volunteers still believed Amari was still alive.
“I could never, ever imagine, lord, how somebody could be so evil,” she said, apologizing to Howard, Amari’s grandmother, for the tragic outcome.
“Amari, may you rest in peace, baby,” Grossman shouted. “And you fly high and may you dance in the sky baby boy, amen.”
The attendees howled back: “Amen!”
