Reno, Nev. — A Nevada woman is facing a first-degree murder charge after police say she helped carry out months of brutal abuse against her young daughter, who was allegedly locked inside a crudely built closet, starved, and denied medical care until she died.
What investigators say happened
According to an amended criminal complaint, Andrea Loving participated in the “daily mistreatment” of her 5-year-old daughter, Izabella Loving, alongside the child’s father, Nicholas Loving. Prosecutors allege the abuse included withholding food, repeated beatings, and confining the girl in a small enclosure inside the family home.
Izabella died in April from bacterial pneumonia, with multiple blunt-force injuries, malnutrition, dehydration, and medical neglect listed as significant contributing factors, court records state.
Conditions inside the home
Court filings describe a “crudely built cubby closet structure” measuring roughly 5 feet by 5 feet, outfitted with a door and a locking hatch. Investigators say Izabella was confined there as punishment, including for taking food such as candy from her parents’ bedroom.
Text messages recovered from the parents’ phones allegedly show Andrea Loving asking Nicholas on several occasions whether she had permission to feed the child, with the response “most of the time” being no. The complaint states that Andrea often fed Izabella only a single piece of bread per day.
Alleged physical abuse
Police say Andrea admitted allowing Nicholas to kick the child in her private parts, legs, and back while wearing boots. While Andrea reportedly denied personally inflicting the physical violence, she acknowledged letting it happen and not intervening.
A detective with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office told the court that Andrea said she had “no explanation” for allowing the abuse to continue other than fear that Nicholas would harm her as well.
“She told me that she could have, that she should have, but she didn’t,” the detective said in court filings. Andrea allegedly said she was afraid of being yelled at by Nicholas, yet conceded she still could have acted.
Disturbing online searches and medical neglect
Before Izabella’s death, Andrea allegedly made internet searches including “signs my child is dying,” “how long can you go without food,” “kidneys failing,” “my five year old is peeing blood,” and other queries suggesting serious medical distress.
Andrea told investigators the child had been sick for nine to 10 days, coughing up blood and mucus before any attempt was made to seek medical help. The last known doctor’s visit for Izabella reportedly occurred in October 2022, months before her death.
Andrea said she wanted to take Izabella to see a doctor but claimed Nicholas told her she could not do so.
Charges and court proceedings
Andrea Loving was initially charged with child abuse resulting in substantial bodily harm, but prosecutors upgraded the case to first-degree murder following further investigation. She was arraigned this week and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on February 6, 2026.
Nicholas Loving, who was charged with murder in August, is also scheduled for a preliminary hearing on the same date.
Statements to police
In a recorded interview referenced in the complaint, Andrea allegedly acknowledged her failure to act.
“I should go to jail for not helping her and Nick should go to jail for killing her,” she reportedly told investigators.
The complaint adds that Andrea said she thinks about her inaction “all the time” and feels “bad and guilty now.”
What happens next
Both defendants remain in custody as the case proceeds through the Nevada court system. Prosecutors say the evidence shows prolonged abuse, deliberate starvation, and confinement that ultimately led to Izabella’s death.
Authorities have not released additional details about potential witnesses or whether other children were present in the home.
Conclusion
The case has shocked the community and renewed scrutiny on child-abuse reporting and intervention failures. Investigators say the allegations outline a prolonged pattern of neglect and cruelty that ended in the preventable death of a young child.
If you or someone you know suspects child abuse, authorities urge reporting concerns immediately to local law enforcement or child protective services. Share your experiences in the comments below.
