Police in Georgia have revealed the cause of death in connection with a 6-month-old baby found deceased Tuesday in Clayton County.
According to Atlanta’s Channel 2 Action News, investigators announced at a Friday news conference that NnAkai Pratt died from blunt force trauma.
Investigators believe that NnAkai’s father, Antonio Pearce, fatally injured the child before hiding his body in Riverdale.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, in addition to murder, Antonio Pearce has been charged with cruelty to children, aggravated assault and battery, tampering with evidence, concealment of death, unlawful disposal of a body, false statements, and false reporting.
Pearce, 38, initially claimed the baby had been taken at gunpoint on Sunday, during a robbery. Clayton County investigators, however, said they found information that contradicted his claims.
On Tuesday, police found the body in a trash bag, in the wooded area near where Pearce had reported the supposed robbery, WANF said.
Initial reports indicated that police had found the child’s body in a dumpster. Police later said he had been found in the backyard of a home off Green Valley Road.
NnAkai’s mother, Necolette Pratt, was arrested after police said she helped Pearce cover up from the crime. She’s facing charges that include obstructing an officer, false statements, and party to the commission of a crime.
Both defendants remain behind bars without bail. Check back for updates.