A Georgia dad is facing a second-degree murder charge after he allegedly left his 8-month-old daughter in a car for hours, according to authorities.
On Tuesday shortly after 2:15 p.m., the 20-year-old dad, Davied Japez McCorry Whatley, entered the Snellville Police Department office to pick up a firearm that was in their possession and was apprehended for a warrant that was out for his arrest in connection to a probation violation.
Whatley was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail.
According to authorities, an 8-month-old baby girl was rushed to an emergency room by her grandmother on Tuesday night. The child, who was identified as Whatley’s daughter, according to FOX 5 Atlanta, was pronounced dead.
The baby’s grandmother told doctors that Whatley left the 8-month-old in his vehicle following a traffic stop. Officers found Whatley’s car parked at the Snellville City Hall outside a dumpster, according to the report.
Officers said Whatley didn’t tell them that he left his daughter in the car while he was attempting to pick up the gun.
Snellville Police Department Detective Jeff Manely said that he’s “absolutely astounded” that Whatley left his daughter in the car.
“I’m absolutely astounded someone could leave an 8-month-old in the car, park away from our building and walk up here knowing that child was in the car,” Whatley said.
Whatley was released on bond for the arrest related to the probation violation but was taken back into custody on Wednesday for the second-degree murder charge.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
