Arrest warrant obtained in slaying of single mom

Thursday, April 24, 2003 | 10:02 a.m.

Metro Police said this morning they have obtained an arrest warrant for Taiwan Allen, 29, the live-in boyfriend of Yashama Clemons, a single mother who was found shot to death in her home Saturday.

Tuesday's discovery of Clemons' car put detectives one step closer to Allen. Officers found the 1989 Toyota Camry in the parking lot of Budget Suites in the 4200 block of West Tropicana Avenue.

The car was towed to Metro's lab so that it could be thoroughly examined for any possible evidence, Metro Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

Clemons' four children, ages 15 months to 9 years old, were in the house when their mother was shot and they were alone with their mother's body in the house for several days after the shooting, police and family members said. The children who were placed at Child Haven Saturday after the discovery of their mother's body but were released to the custody of their great-grandmother Lodia Fluellen Monday afternoon.

"I've cried so much," Fluellen said. "Every time I look around I think I see my baby."

Fluellen said Wednesday night that the community has responded to the children's plight.

Wal-Mart donated diapers and K-Mart, Walker Furniture and J.C. Penney Co., have offered help, Fluellen said.

Wells Fargo has set up a bank account to help the children. It is in Lodia Fluellen's name.

On Saturday a friend of the dead woman went to the home in the 6700 block of Tiffolo Lane near Hollywood Boulevard and Carey Avenue to check on Clemons, police said.

The woman found her friend dead inside the house, police said.

The children thought their mother, who police believe had been dead for several days, was asleep, police said.

LaFonzo McKnight, the father of the three younger children, arrived from North Carolina on Tuesday.

Family members said funeral services for Clemons have been set for May 2 at 11 a.m. at Mountaintop Faith Ministries, 2845 Lindell Road, Las Vegas.