Tragic Discovery: The Heartbreaking Case of Maliyah Bass

As we continue into the story of Maliyah Bass in this second part of this two-part series, we start in the heart of a Houston neighborhood. A horrifying tale unfolded in August 2020, leaving a community devastated and questioning the lengths some individuals can go to. The case of two-year-old Malia Bass, who tragically lost her life, shed light on shocking events that led to arrests and a deep sense of betrayal. This is a story of negligence, deception, and the pursuit of justice in the wake of an innocent child's untimely death.

On August 22, 2020, an Amber Alert reverberated throughout Houston as Maliyah Bass was reported missing. Her mother, Sahara Irvin, and her boyfriend, Travion Thompson, claimed Maliyah vanished from a playground outside their apartment. However, the circumstances surrounding her disappearance raised eyebrows and fueled public speculation.

The apartment complex where Irvin and Thompson resided was located in a high-crime area, prompting questions about the couple's judgment. Leaving a two-year-old child unattended in such an environment seemed incomprehensible to many. As authorities delved into the case, doubts emerged regarding the truthfulness of the parents' initial statements, casting a shadow of suspicion over their involvement.

The morning of August 23, 2020, brought a grim revelation when a jogger near Braes Bayou stumbled upon the lifeless body of a young child in the water. Tragically, it was confirmed to be the remains of Maliyah Bass. The autopsy on Maliyah's body uncovered alarming signs of abuse and trauma, leading the coroner to determine that her death resulted from homicide. With this revelation, the investigation swiftly transitioned from a missing person's case to a murder inquiry.

As the investigation intensified, Irvin and Thompson were once again questioned about the events surrounding Maliyah's death. Thompson provided a harrowing account, alleging that Irvin became agitated with Malia's crying and resorted to striking her with a brush. According to Thompson, they then confined Maliyah to a broom closet all night. And upon their return the following morning, they discovered she had tragically died. Panicked and unsure of what to do, Thompson admitted to placing Maliyah's body in a storm drain near their apartment complex, unknowingly allowing it to drift into Braes Bayou.

The shocking truth exposed the dark and twisted actions of individuals entrusted with the care and protection of an innocent child. Sahara Irvin faced her day in court on June 1, 2022, where she was sentenced to 20 years for her involvement in Maliyah's death. Trayvion Thompson, also charged with injury to a child and tampering with evidence, is awaiting his court date. Irvin is expected to testify against him, further unraveling the extent of their heinous acts.

The revelation of Irvin and Thompson's betrayal left the community shocked and saddened. Outrage and grief mingled as the loss of a young life at the hands of those meant to love and protect her resonated deeply. The memory of Maliyah Bass serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of safeguarding the well-being of children and the imperative to seek justice for the innocent.

The case of Maliyah Bass stands as a stark reminder of the dark depths humanity can sink into and the devastating consequences it can have on the lives of the most vulnerable. The pursuit of justice for Malia continues as the legal proceedings against Sahara Irvin and Travion Thompson unfold.

This case stuck out to me because I have a two-year-old daughter. There is just no way I could ever hit her, especially with an object like a brush, and then lock her in a broom closet! They put this poor baby in a broom closet and kept her there all night! There is no way I could ever do anything like that and go on about my night. Two-year-olds cry; that is how they communicate. They are still babies; they don't truly understand what is happening in the world. They don't even know the difference between life and death. All she knew was, "Mommy is hurting me, Mommy is yelling at me; why am I in the closet? Please, Mommy, let me out, please." I can only imagine what that baby went through. Please continue to rest peacefully, Maliyah; you deserve so much better.