The Georgia father who has been charged in the death of his 8-month-old daughter was denied bond by a Gwinnett County judge, a report said.
On Tuesday, the 20-year-old father, Davied Japez McCorry Whatley, was arrested during a visit to the Snellville Police Department. Whatley left his baby girl in the car but did not tell police officers. The child was found hours later by her grandmother and was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Whatley did not have much to say when he first appeared in court on Friday. When asked by the judge if he knew what he was being charged with, Whatley said, “yes, second-degree murder.” The hearing wrapped up after about a half-hour with the judge appointing Whatley a court-appointed attorney.
Whatley entered the Snellville Police Station to pick up a gun the department had in their possession. Once there, detectives realized Whatley had an outstanding arrest warrant for a probation violation and took him into custody. However, Whatley did not tell authorities he left a baby in his car. He was then booked into the Gwinnett County Jail.
Later that night, authorities said a woman rushed her 8-month-old granddaughter to the Piedmont Eastside Emergency Room. The baby girl, Whatley’s daughter, Nova Grace Whatley-Trejo, was declared dead.
When police were notified about the death, officers found Whatley’s car parked near the dumpsters at the Snellville City Hall.
Whatley was released on bond related to his initial arrest for a probation violation but was taken back into custody Wednesday on second-degree murder charges.
