Woman's charges upgraded to murder in 4-year-old's death
Cause of death revealed for 4-year-old found dead
Southwest Atlanta authorities confirmed 4-year-old Colby Cooks died from blunt force trauma in a homicide. His 5-year-old brother remains hospitalized in critical condition with severe head injuries and swelling while their family gathers at his bedside seeking assistance.
ATLANTA - Atlanta police have upgraded charges against a 32-year-old woman to murder after the medical examiner confirmed a 4-year-old boy found dead inside a southwest Atlanta townhome died from blunt force trauma.
What we know:
The Atlanta Police Department secured warrants charging 32-year-old Jasmaine Smoak with murder, aggravated assault and first-degree cruelty to children.
Smoak was originally arrested in Wilkes County on charges of second-degree cruelty to children and concealing a death. She remains held without bond at the Wilkes County Jail.
The upgraded charges follow findings from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. Officials confirmed Wednesday that 4-year-old Colby Cooks died from blunt force trauma, officially classifying his death as a homicide.
Officers originally discovered the child's body around 7:20 p.m. Sunday at the Aviary Park Townhomes on Cardinal Drive near Campbellton Road during a welfare check.d Officers entered the home based on information from the check and found Cooks dead inside.
ORIGINAL STORY: Mom's friend arrested after 4-year-old found dead in SW Atlanta
Jasmaine Smoak (Credit: Wilkes County Sheriff's Office)
Police said Smoak is a friend of the victim's mother and is not directly related to the child. Family friend Destyne Akoon told FOX 5 that the boys' mother, Amanda Malone Walker, was currently incarcerated in Clarke County and had left her two young sons in Smoak's care, trusting her friend to watch them while she was away.
She had three children with her when officers apprehended her in Wilkes County.
One of those children had visible injuries and went to a hospital near Wilkes County for medical treatment. Family members confirmed that child is Colby's 5-year-old brother, Cayden Cooks, who remains in critical condition with severe head trauma, swelling, and black eyes. The boy's father is currently by his bedside at the hospital, and family members are asking for community prayers.
"Amanda did not have a mind of her own. I am going to be honest. I love Amanda. I would do anything for Amanda and her kids. Her story has to be told because she is not even here to tell what's going on," she said. "She's in Clarke County. She has to go to Newnan and she should be released."
Akoon, who previously housed Walker and the children, said she grew concerned after the mother and boys moved in with Smoak. She noted both boys were innocent children and stated she had previously observed marks on Cayden's body while he was under Smoak's supervision.
"I just saw a video of Cayden. His dad posted him, someone screenshot it and sent it to me. His eyes are black and swollen. His head is swollen. I guess from being hit in the head. His body has always had marks on it, since they were in the care of Jasmaine."
Smoak is expected to be transferred to Fulton County on Wednesday.
What we don't know:
Police have not officially disclosed the full nature or extent of the surviving child's injuries or formally detailed how those injuries occurred.
Officials have not released the medical conditions or identities of the other two children found in the car.
Investigators have not detailed where the victim's mother was when Smoak allegedly left the home, though family friends confirmed she was being held in jail in Clarke County. Authorities have not specifically said what prompted the initial welfare check on Sunday evening.
Police have not yet announced whether the charges against Smoak will be upgraded following the medical examiner's homicide ruling.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Atlanta Police Department, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, and FOX 5 Atlanta's Aungelique Proctor, who interviewed family friend Destyne Akoon.