A tragic case unfolds in Wilkes-Barre as authorities charge a woman with the death of her teenage niece. Bobbiejo Etzel faces serious accusations, shedding light on the grim circumstances leading to the loss of 14-year-old La’Niyah Clark.
Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce announced that Etzel, 37, allegedly concealed La’Niyah before suffocating her with a plastic bag. La’Niyah had been reported missing by her family on January 17, and police believe she was killed on February 11.
According to Sanguedolce, the teenager was confined in a closet and subjected to abuse prior to her death. He stated, “The defendant was paranoid that she would be found with LaLa and go to jail.”
Etzel faces multiple charges, including an open count of homicide, which is suspected to be first-degree, kidnapping, and abuse of a corpse. The investigation is ongoing, and additional individuals are under scrutiny, though details remain undisclosed.
Etzel’s arraignment is scheduled for later today.
PFA Filed in January
La’Niyah, who was deaf and utilized hearing aids, had been adopted by Antoine Clark and Ameerah Woods in 2020, residing in South Wilkes-Barre. She had a history of running away, and at one point, sought refuge with her aunt, Etzel.
A Protection from Abuse (PFA) order issued by the Luzerne County Court on January 13 prohibited Etzel from contacting La’Niyah. Sanguedolce noted that the teenager was “understandably” distressed by this order.
The DA reported that Etzel provided false information to police and on social media during the investigation. La’Niyah’s details were entered into the National Criminal Information Center database on January 17.
Extensive investigative efforts included 17 search warrants and review of surveillance videos, which traced Etzel’s alleged actions in disposing of La’Niyah’s body, Sanguedolce explained. “The work that was done in this case was second to none,” he asserted, addressing social media criticism.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown echoed concerns about misinformation, emphasizing the dedication of detectives handling the case’s horrors daily.
The investigation revealed that Etzel and her mother misled authorities when interrogated. Etzel allegedly transported the body in a plastic tote to a location off Thayer Street where it was discarded, according to the DA.
This story is developing and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
