Gruesome story told
FBI: Aunt beat child to death

FBI officials extensively searched the landscape Thursday at a homicide scene where five-year-old Alberto Johnny James was found dead in an ice chest Wednesday afternoon. Police responded to a reported suicide attempt Wednesday and found a women that reportedly told police that "she'd done something wrong" and was going to stab herself with a knife. Further investigation led to police to the body. Evelyn James was arrested for the death of the boy. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

The residnence at RA6A Salt Water Wash Road in Spencer Valley was the scene of a grisly discovery by law enforcement officials Wednesday. [Photo by Brian Leddy/Independent]

GALLUP — A 48-year-old Spencer Valley woman accused of killing her 4-year-old nephew told authorities she kicked and hit the child and knew he was dead when she stored his body in a portable ice chest.

Evelyne James was charged in U.S. District Court with a single count of murder on Friday in connection with Alberto Johnny James’ death. The child goes by the nickname “Bobo” and was in the care of James and her husband at the time of his death, according to court records. Alberto James’ brother also lived at the residence.

During an interview with FBI agents, James demonstrated how the child “put up his hands in front of his face in a defensive position while stating ‘Don’t. Don’t, Auntie. Don’t,” during the beating that later claimed his life.

“Evelyne knew he was dead. She put him in a cooler, wrapped the cooler in a plastic bag and put the cooler in the black house under a suitcase,” FBI Agent John T. Pittman wrote in an affidavit for arrest.

James’ two grown children reportedly noticed the child was missing and inquired about his whereabouts last week and James told them he was staying with another aunt.

The relatives soon became concerned about the child when he did not return home and they noticed irregularities in Evelyne James’ behavior.

Evelyne’s children later confronted her and asked her for the truth.

Court records indicate James’ response was “He’s gone.”

Authorities suspected Alberto James died on Oct. 4, nearly a week before his discovery.

A preliminary report from the Office of the Medical Investigator revealed the child’s injuries included “multiple lacerations to the scalp with underlying new and old skull fractures, new and old rib fractures and an old hematoma.”

Letters written by James were also discovered near the ice chest, one of which said “I was abusing Bo-Bo and last week I over did it.” Another one read “I’ve done something very evil. And I have been trying to hide it ... I though I could take care of it myself, but I couldn’t.”

Alberto James’ young brother also reported that he witnessed the beatings.

Thomas C. McClenaghan, the special agent in charge of the Albuquerque division of the FBI, released a statement about the homicide.

“This gruesome discovery and the subsequent investigation conducted by federal and tribal law enforcement officers at the scene, literally wrenched the emotions of even the most hardened investigator,” McClenaghan said.

Residents of the Spencer Valley neighborhood where the killing occurred summed up their reaction to the news in a single word: shock.

“To think that happened so close to our house. It’s shocking,” neighbor Alice Eustace, said.

Eustace and her husband Rick are longtime Spencer Valley residents who enjoy the neighborhood for its safe streets and the peaceful lifestyle it provides.

Eustace said the James and Spencer families often hosted bingo nights and country and western dances. Although the neighbors have little interaction, a family member purchased bailing wire from the couple.

“There’s always activity down there,” Eustace said. “But it’s still quiet. You never heard anything.”

Elizabeth Griego learned of the child’s death when approached by the Independent Friday afternoon.

“I just don’t see how you could hurt a child,” Griego said as her eyes welled with tears. “ ... That’s really terrible.”

She, too, noticed children playing near the James land.

“I know there’s a bunch of kids that live there,” she said.

Ed.’s note: In the court records from the Navajo Nation District Court James’ first name is spelled “Evelyn,” and in the records from the U.S. District Court it is spelled “Evelyne.”