WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – The mother and son charged in the murder of London Thomas appeared in court on Friday.
Jalen Pendergrass, 23, and Charla Pendergrass, 49, were charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Thomas was found dead in Southfield on April 26, two weeks after she had been reported missing. She was last seen when she was dropped off at her boyfriend’s house on Carlysle Street in Inkster on April 5.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Jalen and Thomas were in a relationship, but it had ended at the time she arrived at the house in Inkster.
On April 26, a friend of Charla told Inkster police that she had allegedly called him and asked him to transport a sealed plastic bin with unknown contents. He told police he received and placed the bin in an SUV on Millard Street in Southfield on April 11, 2025.
When police searched the area on Millard Street, they found Thomas dead in the bin inside the SUV. According to the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office, Thomas died from asphyxia, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Charla was initially charged with lying to a peace officer in connection with the investigation, but those charges were dismissed.
Jalen and Charla pleaded not guilty in their arraignment on Friday, Oct. 17.
Charla was given a $5 million cash bond. Upon release, the judge ordered her to wear a GPS tether and not to leave Michigan. She’s also not allowed to possess weapons or alcohol.
Jalen was remanded without bond due to the additional charges against him in a different case in Oakland County and the severity of the new charges against him in the murder case. His defense attorney argued that the case in Oakland County is weak and will likely be dismissed.
Jalen and Charla are expected to return to court on Oct. 22 for a probable cause conference.
Thomas’ family spoke to media outlets following the arraignment, saying they are pleased to see the two are finally charged months after the 17-year-old was found dead.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster, heartbreaking. We all knew they did something,” said Cedric Salisbury, Thomas’ father.
Salisbury said this was “long overdue.”
“Hopefully [police] did a thorough investigation, maybe that’s why they took so long,” said Salisbury. “We can move forward so my daughter can rest in peace.”
“You can look at them and see something’s wrong with them, mainly [Jalen],” said Jestina Martin, Thomas’ grandmother.
Hear the full interview from the family below: