Overview
- Atlanta police arrested James Hayes and Kennedi Ponder during a warrant service at a Mary George Avenue NW home on Aug. 6, and officers brought both to Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters for interviews.
- Police said Hayes is expected to be charged with second-degree murder and multiple counts of child cruelty while Ponder is expected to face multiple child cruelty counts including deprivation of necessary sustenance.
- The homicide investigation began May 2 after officers found an unresponsive infant at the same home; medics transported the child to Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
- The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office took custody of the infant's body and an autopsy was performed, but officials have not publicly released the cause or manner of death.
- Next steps include formal charging and possible arraignment for the suspects and the public release of forensic findings, which would clarify the facts that police have not yet disclosed.