Mother of missing Clayton County baby found dead also arrested

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - The investigation into the death of 6-month-old Nnakai Pratt has taken another turn as the baby’s mother, Necolette Pratt, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, according to Clayton County Jail records.  

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What we know:

Pratt now faces charges of obstructing an officer, making false statements, and party to the commission of a crime. Her arrest marks a major development in the case that began when Nnakai was first reported missing from an apartment complex on Valley Hill Road in Riverdale. The infant was later found dead Tuesday in the backyard of a nearby home off Green Valley Road.

Nnakai’s father, Antonio Pearce, was arrested earlier this week and is charged with malice murder, cruelty to children, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, concealing the death of another person, unlawful disposal of a human body, false statements, and false report of a crime.

The backstory:

Police say Pearce initially claimed he was robbed at gunpoint and that the assailants kidnapped his son. Investigators later determined parts of his story didn’t add up, leading to a focused search around the apartment complex where Nnakai’s body was ultimately found.

What they're saying:

Outside the apartment complex, neighbors gathered to grieve the loss of the baby. Many left teddy bears, flowers, and handmade crosses at a growing memorial.

"I’ve seen grown men crying, visibly upset, plenty of tears," said Greg Yates, a neighbor who built a wooden cross near where Nakaii’s body was found. "This is the reason why I’m doing this because we are all God’s children."

Yates paused to pray at the memorial. "Heavenly Father, now we know where this angel is at and we know he will be more safe than in this ugly world we live in," he said. "Right now just know you have a beautiful angel coming home to you."

Another neighbor, Joy McCrae, said she felt something was wrong when she first heard the story. "From the moment I heard that story, I knew he had done something to that child," she said. "It hurts deeply, deeply, deeply. There’s no cause for that. You have people who can’t even have children and he sat there and deceived a whole community. That is so sad."

McCrae said she prays for everyone involved. "That’s your child. You carried that child for nine months. All I can say is Father God have mercy on the child and also have mercy on him and her."

What we don't know:

Investigators have not said how or when 6-month-old Nnakai Pratt died, or whether a weapon or specific cause of death has been determined. 

It’s unclear what led police to charge both parents or what evidence connects Necolette Pratt to the alleged crime. 

Authorities have also not confirmed whether Nnakai’s body was moved, how long it had been at the discovery site, or what role, if any, child protective services had prior to the incident. 

What's next:

Authorities confirmed that the baby’s twin sister has been placed in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services as the investigation continues.

Both parents are expected to appear before a Clayton County magistrate judge Friday morning at 11 a.m.