POMONA, Calif. – The father of Trinity Love Jones has remained vocal about Trinity’s mother and her mother’s boyfriend keeping Trinity from him.
Trinity’s father Anthony Jones showed a message to Emiel Hunt asking to see Trinity.
Discovery of Unidentified Girl
The body of Trinity was found tossed in a duffel bag near a Hacienda Heights equestrian trail by Park and Recreation workers on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Trinity, who was 9-years-old was described as being 4’5” and 55 pounds making her around average in height and on the low end for her weight. Once she was located, sheriff officials attempted to identify her. Although her body did not have any obvious signs of abuse or an obvious cause of death, an autopsy later confirmed that her death was a result of murder.
Identifying Trinity
Days later, on Saturday, March 9, 2019, the family identified the child, who to the public was yet to be named. Her father found out after much of Trinity’s family and said that she was identified by DNA. Emiel Hunt, the boyfriend of Trinity’s mother, was accused of the murder of Trinity on or around March 1, 2019, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s criminal complaint. If convicted as charged, he will face up to 50 years to life in prison
Her Mother’s Boyfriend’s Past Convictions
Both Hunt and Trinity’s mother have a checkered past, with Hunt being sentenced to 12 years in prison for the abuse, neglect, and torture of his 3-year-old son. NBC 7 News said that his son was found malnourished and bruised in the San Diego home he and his then-girlfriend lived in. The boy was rushed to a trauma center where he had internal injuries throughout his body. The child was severely underweight and had signs of previous abuse.
Hunt was arrested for two counts of child abuse and one count of torture and was eventually convicted on all three felony counts. During an interview, which is included in court records, the child’s mother said that Hunt would hit the boy with a belt or cord several times a week. She also said that food was withheld, with meat being used as a reward. The typical meal for the child would only be vegetables.
He arrested early Saturday morning when he was found sleeping inside a vehicle near the San Diego Airport, officials said.
Trinity’s Mother
Taquesta Graham was also detained at this time and is being held on an unrelated warrant and is still considered a “person of interest”. Graham has a criminal history and is a registered sex offender. According to Megan’s Law, Graham is a sex offender after being convicted of enticing a minor for prostitution. The minor was only listed as being under the age of 16 at the time of the 2009 case. Graham also served time for prostitution in the past, as well as other offenses.
Court Appearance for Accused Child Murderer
Hunt appeared at the Pomona Superior Court on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, and did not enter a plea. He is scheduled to return to the Pomona Superior Court on April 16, 2019.
