This browser does not support the Video element.
Grieving mom says last person to see her son is being protected
A Douglas County mom is grieving the loss of her child. Kenya Mitchell says her son's body was found during a traffic stop near Thorton Road and I-20. For some reason, she says, detectives let the driver go after some questioning.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - A routine traffic stop in Douglas County turned into an active investigation after deputies discovered a deceased passenger in the vehicle.
What we know:
On the night of Jan. 29, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a routine traffic stop near Thornton Road and Interstate 20. During the stop, deputies discovered a deceased passenger in the vehicle, alongside the driver.
The Criminal Investigations Division and Crime Scene Unit were immediately dispatched to conduct a thorough investigation.
The driver was transported to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, where he cooperated fully with investigators. Following initial questioning, the driver was released pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
The deceased has been identified as 21-year-old Malachi A. Mitchell.
Dig deeper:
Malachi's mother, Kenya Mitchell, is devastated.
"He was strong, level-headed and a kind man," she told FOX 5 Atlanta through tears.
Her emotion is compounded with seething confusion about the investigation into her son's death. She said she's received nothing from the authorities.
"[No] compassion, any answers, not even my son's body," said Mitchell.
Kenya Mitchell
In fact, the mother said she didn't even know Malachi was dead until she and her son's girlfriend tracked his phone's location and stumbled upon the crime scene full of sheriff's cars and a coroner's van.
She believes her son was conducting a legal, private gun sale with the driver.
When she found out the driver was caught in the same car as her deceased son, she raised questions about how he was able to go home so soon without a resolution.
"For them to protect his family and him is beyond my understanding," said Mitchell. "So, what happened? Where is the man who shot my son?"
The other side:
Since the incident, threats have been made against the driver's family, prompting the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to heighten patrol efforts and increase surveillance. Both patrol deputies and the Special Operations Division have been deployed to ensure the family’s safety.
"We handle things differently. The correct way," a dismissive Mitchell responded. "They are creating a narrative."
What we don't know:
At this time, the sheriff's office has not released a cause of death for Mitchell.
What's next:
The investigation remains active and ongoing. For the integrity of the case and the safety of those involved, the sheriff’s office has stated that no further information will be released at this time.
Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review and potential prosecution.