Two months shy of her first birthday, Halo Branton was found inside a utility tunnel on General Electric’s campus in Schenectady. She died of exposure and hypothermia.

On the day Halo would have turned 11 months old, Elijah Royal, Halo’s godfather sat down with NewsChannel 13’s Faith King for an exclusive interview.

Halo’s mother, 24-year-old Persia Nelson, allegedly dropped her down an 8-foot pipe filled with mud and water.

Royal maintained a 10-year friendship with Nelson. He said he was in disbelief when he heard Nelson was being charged for the death of her daughter.

“I think of baby Halo and the way she probably screamed in that tunnel and the way she wanted her mom,” Royal said. “The one person who was supposed to be there for her allegedly dropped her down a tunnel.”

Now as Nelson face a murder charge, Royal said he can’t continue a friendship with her. He said he doesn’t recognize the woman he once thought he knew.

“Unfortunately and I hate to say this because this was my close friend, it almost looks like a demon walking out of there,” Royal explained while reflecting on court video shown on NewsChannel 13.

The night Nelson made her way to GE’s campus, family and friends say she was drinking and smoking with her boyfriend, Dante Gregory, and his family.

The Gregorys said they thought Nelson went out to cool off after a disagreement, but then they couldn’t find her.

The Gregorys also have concerns about appearing before a grand jury.

As he’s lost a best friend and god daughter, Elijah says there’s nothing else he wants more than justice for baby Halo. He’s hoping everyone involved wants the same.

“I would say to the Gregory family, do the correct thing” Elijah added. “Whether that be testifying or answer to the public why you weren’t there or why you didn’t stop her from leaving.”