Father of Slain 7-Year-Old Has Long Record of Domestic Violence Charges
GoLocalProv News Team
Father of Slain 7-Year-Old Has Long Record of Domestic Violence Charges
Pires is the father of 7-year-old Ny'Eil Sophia Kelley Pires, who was recently shot and killed in Providence; he was arrested on Wednesday on two child endangerment felony charges as well as for driving with a suspended license.
Court records show a lengthy arrest record for Pires, which stretches over three dozen docket entries dating back to 2015 and includes numerous domestic violence charges.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMoreover, court records show judges handing down repeated suspended jail sentences and probation.
Records show Pires' first domestic violence arrest was in August 2015; he was given a one-year suspended sentence by Judge Joseph Ippolito.
In January 2017, he was arrested on three domestic violence charges. In March 2017, he was given a one-year suspended sentence by Judge Elaine Bucci.
In April 2017, he was arrested for assault and battery and disorderly conduct. In May 2017 Judge Anthony Capraro gave him a no trespassing order and anger management counseling.
In August 2017 he was arrested for felony assault and domestic violence. That case was disposed in 2018 following additional arrests and charges.
He was arrested on multiple domestic violence charges in 2020; he was arrested for DUI in 2022 and sentenced to community service and “DWI school” by Judge Pamer Woodcock-Pfieffer.
The following is the dizzying array of Pires’ arrests and court appearances for domestic violence since 2022 alone:
In May 2022, Pries was arrested on five domestic violence felony charges and two misdemeanors stemming from an April 2022 incident.
Court records show no action was taken by the court — until he was arrested again shortly thereafter.
In September 2022, he was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge — a “3rd plus offense” — stemming from a separate June 2022 offense.
He was sentenced to five years in prison with one to serve and a four-year suspension. He was given a no-contact order and required to take “batterers intervention.”
In November 2023, he was arrested on a felony domestic assault charge — a “3rd + offense.” He posted bond in May 2024 and had a pre-arraignment conference in July 2024 continued to January 2025.
Court records show he was also arrested in December 2023 on three felony domestic violence charges and two misdemeanors, stemming from a September 2023 incident. He was also charged with three other felony counts for domestic violence related to a separate October 2023 incident.
In August 2024, he posted bail and was given a no-contact order by Judge Patrick Burke. For those offenses, he was scheduled for a pre-trial conference on September 30.
Pires also has multiple arrests for driving with a “suspended/revoked/canceled license” — in May, court records he was arrested on his “4th+ offense” for the charge.
He pleaded not guilty and was released on $500 bond; in August, Judge Terence Houlihan gave him a criminal sentence of 60 days probation.
Police Allege Pires' Role Leading Up to Murder
Police said on Wednesday that Ny'Eil Sophia Kelley Pires had been in a car with her father and younger brother on Florence Street on August 29 when Nelson Pires got into an argument with two other individuals.
The incident resulted in gunfire and 7-year-old Ny'Eil Sophia Kelley Pires was hit. She succumbed to her injuries three days later on September 2.
Two individuals were arrested in conjunction with the shooting.
Ny'Eil Sophia Kelley Pires would have turned 8 on September 13. She was buried on September 14.
Following Nelson Pires' arrest related to the death of his daughter, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez released the following statement to the media on Wednesday.
"Our primary responsibility as police officers is to ensure the safety of all individuals, especially vulnerable children who cannot protect themselves," said Perez.
"The charges brought forth reflect our commitment to upholding the law and holding individuals accountable when their actions put others at risk," he added, "We take these matters very seriously and will continue to work with the RI Attorney General's Office to ensure that justice is served."