4 Months, No Justice — Family Says State Police Not Doing Enough in London Thomas Case: “They Should Not Be on the Street”

The family of 17-year-old London Thomas says they feel “failed” by the justice system after charges were dropped against the mother of the teen’s boyfriend — one of only two people ever arrested in connection to the case.

Thomas was last seen on April 5 when her sister dropped her off at her 23-year-old boyfriend’s home in Inkster. On April 26, her body was found inside a white SUV in Southfield near 8 Mile and Telegraph. Neighbors say the SUV had been parked in a driveway for about two weeks before police made the discovery.

The boyfriend’s mother, Charla Rashida Pendergrass, 48, was charged earlier this year with lying to a peace officer during the investigation. Prosecutors later dismissed the case without prejudice after determining the person she allegedly lied to was a federal agent, who does not meet Michigan’s definition of a “peace officer.”

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