A felony case against 23-year-old Jalen Tyler Pendergrass in Oakland County, a charge for making a false report of a felony originally filed on May 14, 2025, has been dismissed. Court records show the dismissal was entered on November 20, 2025, after a defense motion was granted without prejudice.
The dismissal is nothing more than a formality, because Pendergrass is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old London Thomas, along with an evidence-tampering charge. His mother, 49-year-old Charla Rashida Pendergrass, is charged with the same offenses.
Thomas’ body was found on April 26 inside an SUV parked at a Southfield home, and the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide caused by asphyxia. Investigators say Thomas ended her relationship with Jalen that morning, and when she never returned home, her family filed missing person reports with Inkster Police and Detroit Police.
Prosecutors allege Charla Pendergrass asked a friend to move a sealed plastic bin with unknown contents, and that bin was later discovered in the SUV containing Thomas’ body. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy credited MSP, Detroit Police, and the FBI for the “countless hours of investigation” that led to the charges.
Both Jalen and Charla Pendergrass are scheduled for a preliminary examination on December 12, 2025 at 8:30 AM with Hearing Officer Sabrina L. Johnson in Inkster.
