Welcome to Arrest Stories. A fifteen-year-old deaf teenager who disappeared in January was found dead behind a garage in Pennsylvania, leading to the arrest of her biological aunt in Maryland. Here's what may have happened.
On January seventeenth, La'Niyah Clark was reported missing from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The hearing-impaired teenager, who also faced emotional vulnerabilities and mental health challenges, had left her home that same day. According to investigators, Clark fled to stay with her biological aunt, Bobbiejo Etzel, despite a court-issued Protection From Abuse order that specifically prohibited Etzel from having contact with the teen.
The PFA order had been granted by Judge Tina Polachek Gartley on January thirteenth, just four days before Clark's disappearance. Court records indicate Etzel had previously encouraged Clark to run away from home.
More than a month later, on February twenty-first, human remains were discovered behind a garage on Thayer Street in South Wilkes-Barre. The body was found naked in a pile of snow and appeared purple on the face, back, and arms, which investigators noted may indicate bruising. Two areas that appeared to be cuts were visible on the body, along with a rope-like item around the right wrist. Purple scissors were observed near the remains.
The victim was identified through dental records, post-mortem examination, and additional evidence as La'Niyah Clark.
Following the identification, authorities arrested thirty-six-year-old Bobbiejo Etzel in Hagerstown, Maryland on charges of corruption of minors. She is being held without bond and awaits extradition back to Pennsylvania.
Clark's family described her as having incredible patience and an infectious spirit. One family member stated, "She had so much patience for people, more than you could ever, ever know. She was an amazing kid. She was so smart."
The family has expressed frustration with the initial investigation, citing concerns that authorities treated the case as a runaway situation rather than a missing person case requiring urgent action.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.