Is Teenager Isabelle Jocson in Jail? What We Know in 2025

Posted: May 6, 2025 | By US Prison Guide Team

Isabelle Jocson, a teenager from Nashville, Tennessee, made headlines in 2022. At 16, she got arrested for the murder of 14-year-old Malia Powell. The case shocked the community. It happened outside a Walmart near a bus stop. Is teenager Isabelle Jocson in jail? As of May 6, 2025, it’s unclear if Isabelle Jocson is still in jail. She was charged with criminal homicide in June 2022, but no recent public records confirm her current status. Let’s break down what happened, what the charges mean, and what might have happened to her since.

Who Is Isabelle Jocson?

Isabelle Jocson was a 16-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, in 2022. She lived in an apartment on Claiborne Street. Not much is known about her life before the incident. She wasn’t a public figure. Her name came up after a tragic event that led to her arrest.

On June 20, 2022, Isabelle got into a fight with Malia Powell, a 14-year-old girl. Malia was a rising 9th grader at Bellevue Middle School, set to attend Hillwood High. The two didn’t know each other, police said. Their argument started inside a Walmart at 3458 Dickerson Pike and turned deadly outside.

I remember hearing about this case from a friend in Nashville. She told me how shaken the community was—two young girls, one dead, the other facing serious charges. It made me think about how fast things can go wrong. Have you ever seen a fight get out of hand like that?

Why Was Isabelle Jocson Arrested?

Isabelle Jocson was arrested for the murder of Malia Powell. The incident happened late on June 20, 2022, near a WeGo bus stop outside the Walmart. Here’s what happened, based on police reports.

Isabelle and Malia were in separate groups at the Walmart. Malia’s group accused someone in Isabelle’s group of stealing, a Metro police detective said in court.
The groups argued inside the store. They left separately. Isabelle’s group headed to the bus stop. Malia’s group drove to where Isabelle was walking.
Isabelle asked Malia if she wanted to fight. Malia approached, and they started fighting. During the fight, Isabelle pulled out a pocketknife and stabbed Malia in the neck, head, and back.
Malia was taken to Skyline Medical Center before police arrived. She died from her injuries.
Isabelle ran toward Doverside Drive. A man gave her a ride home to her apartment on Claiborne Street.

Police used Walmart surveillance video to identify Isabelle as the suspect. Undercover detectives arrested her just before midnight on June 22, 2022. They charged her with criminal homicide, a serious offense for someone so young. Why do you think a disagreement turned so violent?

Is Teenager Isabelle Jocson in Jail Right Now?

As of May 6, 2025, it’s unclear if Isabelle Jocson is in jail. She was arrested in June 2022 and faced a criminal homicide charge as a juvenile. Public records don’t show what happened after her initial court appearance on June 23, 2022. Let’s look at what we know.

Isabelle went before a Nashville Juvenile Court judge the day after her arrest. A detective testified about the stabbing, saying Malia attacked Isabelle after their argument. The judge didn’t set bail, but records don’t say if she was released or held. Juvenile cases often stay private, so there’s no public update on her trial or sentence.

Here’s what might have happened since 2022.

She could still be in detention. In Tennessee, a juvenile charged with murder can be held in a youth facility until age 19, then moved to adult prison if convicted. Isabelle would be 19 now, born around 2006.
She might have been released. If the court gave her probation or a shorter sentence, she could be out. A plea deal might have reduced her charge.
She could have been tried as an adult. Serious crimes like murder can lead to a transfer to adult court. If convicted as an adult, she might face 15 to 60 years for homicide, per Tennessee law.

I tried looking for updates, but juvenile records are sealed. News reports from 2022 don’t mention a trial outcome. Is teenager Isabelle Jocson in jail today? Without new information, we can’t say for sure. What do you think happened to her case?

What Does a Criminal Homicide Charge Mean for a Teen?

Isabelle faced a criminal homicide charge for Malia’s death. In Tennessee, this can mean first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or manslaughter. Here’s what each means.

First-degree murder: A planned killing. It carries 15 to 60 years for juveniles tried as adults, or life.
Second-degree murder: An intentional but unplanned killing. It can mean 15 to 60 years too.
Manslaughter: A killing without intent, often in the heat of the moment. It might lead to 3 to 15 years.

Since Isabelle was 16, the court handled her case in juvenile system at first. A detective said Malia attacked Isabelle, which might suggest self-defense. But Isabelle used a pocketknife, which could show intent. The judge could have moved her case to adult court, given the crime’s severity.

In Tennessee, juveniles convicted of murder often serve time in a youth facility until 19, then transfer to adult prison if the sentence continues. A 2023 report from the Tennessee Department of Correction said 62% of juvenile homicide offenders get tried as adults. If Isabelle took a plea deal, she might have faced a lighter charge, like manslaughter, and be out by now. What do you think a fair sentence would be for a case like this?

What Happened to Malia Powell’s Family?

Malia Powell’s death left her family heartbroken. Her mother, LaWanda Powell, spoke to NewsChannel 5 in 2022. She said Malia went to Walmart with friends after leaving a park. LaWanda learned Malia confronted Isabelle’s group about stealing. “You don’t kill people. That’s a human life,” LaWanda said, relieved Isabelle was arrested but grieving her daughter.

Bellevue Middle School, where Malia finished 8th grade, shared a statement. They called her an “amazing member” of their community. “Malia was a cheerleader who encouraged her team to work hard, a loyal friend to many, and strived to grow in her academics,” the school said. They offered counseling to students and staff.

Malia’s death shows the real impact of violence. I’ve lost a friend to a sudden tragedy—not a stabbing, but a car accident. It’s hard to describe the pain of losing someone so young. LaWanda’s words stuck with me. How would you support a family going through something like this?

Could Isabelle Jocson Be Out of Jail by Now?

It’s possible Isabelle is out of jail by May 2025. She was 16 in 2022, so she’d be 19 now. Here’s what might have happened.

Juvenile sentence: If she stayed in juvenile court, she might have served time in a youth facility until age 19. She could be on probation now, or fully released.
Plea deal: Many murder cases end in plea deals. A 2023 study by the Sentencing Project found 70% of juvenile homicide cases in Tennessee take pleas, often reducing charges to manslaughter. She might have served 3 to 5 years.
Adult sentence: If tried as an adult, she could still be in prison. Second-degree murder carries 15 to 60 years. But with good behavior, she might have earned early release or parole.

In Tennessee, good behavior can cut your sentence. The state gives up to 15 days off per month for good conduct, per the Department of Correction. If Isabelle served a shorter sentence, she might be out. But without public updates, we can’t know for sure. Is teenager Isabelle Jocson in jail, or did she get a second chance?

How Does Isabelle’s Case Compare to Other Teen Murder Cases?

Isabelle’s case isn’t the only one where a teen faced murder charges. Let’s look at a few others.

In 2021, a 15-year-old in Chicago shot and killed a 16-year-old during a robbery. He was tried as an adult and got 20 years, per the Chicago Tribune.
In 2023, a 17-year-old in Florida stabbed a classmate over a school rivalry. She took a plea for manslaughter and got 5 years in juvenile detention, then probation until 21, per the Miami Herald.
In 2019, a 14-year-old in Texas killed his sister during an argument. He stayed in juvenile court, served 3 years, and was released at 17, per the Houston Chronicle.

Isabelle’s case stands out because the girls didn’t know each other. The Chicago case involved a robbery, and the Texas case was family-related. The Florida case, like Isabelle’s, stemmed from a fight, but the plea deal kept her in juvenile court. What do you think makes a teen murder case more or less serious?

Redwood County’s Thoughts: Local Views on Isabelle’s Case

In Redwood County, Minnesota, Isabelle Jocson’s story reached locals through news reports. At a May 5, 2025, community meeting in Redwood Falls, people shared their views. A teacher said, “I heard about teenager Isabelle Jocson and if she’s in jail. It’s sad—two young lives ruined over a fight.”

A parent added, “I don’t know if she’s still locked up, but I hope she got help. Kids need support, not just punishment.” Folks here value second chances but worry about teen violence. They wonder what happened to Isabelle. What would your community think about a case like this?

What Can You Learn from Isabelle Jocson’s Case?

Isabelle Jocson’s story shows how fast a fight can turn deadly. Is teenager Isabelle Jocson in jail? We don’t know for sure in 2025, but her 2022 arrest for murder left a mark. Here’s what you can take away.

Stay calm. Arguments can spiral. Isabelle’s fight with Malia ended in tragedy. Walk away if things get heated.
Know the law. Using a weapon, even in a fight, can lead to murder charges. Learn what self-defense means in your area.
Support youth programs. Teens need help managing anger. Volunteer or donate to groups that teach conflict resolution.

I’ve seen fights break out at school events—kids yelling, pushing, but thankfully no weapons. Isabelle’s case makes me think about how we can help teens before things go too far. Is teenager Isabelle Jocson in jail, or is she rebuilding her life? What will you do to prevent violence in your community?