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Investigation Underway After Child Found Dead in Southwest Atlanta
Police say the child was found after a welfare check and forced entry, and Jasmaine Smoak faces cruelty and concealment charges.
On Monday, Atlanta Police Department officers discovered a child dead inside a home on Cardinal Drive Southwest during a welfare check, leading to the arrest of 32-year-old suspect Jasmaine Smoak.
Officers and Atlanta Fire Rescue personnel forced entry into the residence at 3507 Cardinal Drive Southwest around 7:20 p.m. Monday, acting on information received during the welfare check.
Investigators used license plate reader technology to track Smoak's vehicle to Washington, Georgia, more than 100 miles away, where Wilkes County authorities arrested her on charges of second-degree cruelty to children.
Smoak remains in custody at the Wilkes County Jail pending transport to Atlanta, while Atlanta Police Department homicide investigators continue the active investigation.
Christopher Butler, commander of the Atlanta Police Department's Homicide Unit, stated officials are working to identify the child and locate family members, though no motive has been disclosed.