Georgia baby taken off life support, both parents facing charges

July 14, 2016 - Atlanta - Paige Cason-Barrett, Dinah’s maternal grandmother, recently spent time with her before the baby was taken off life support Monday. CRAIG SCHNEIDER / Craig.Schneider@ajc.com

July 14, 2016 - Atlanta - Paige Cason-Barrett, Dinah’s maternal grandmother, recently spent time with her before the baby was taken off life support Monday. CRAIG SCHNEIDER / Craig.Schneider@ajc.com

Baby Dinah is gone. She was taken off life support Monday afternoon after the badly abused girl's incarcerated parents were scheduled to say goodbye to her.

The process began at 12:06 p.m. Monday, according to a court official, and the baby died at 3:09 p.m.

Justin Whited has been charged with assaulting his daughter so badly she suffered bleeding on the brain, two broken collar bones and breaks in every rib but three. The charges against him could escalate now that she is dead. Dinah's mother, Jamie Cason Whited, has been charged with child cruelty, asserting she failed to protect her child.

Dinah had been on life support for three months at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. After both parents agreed to terminate life support, Walton County Juvenile Court Judge David Dickinson issued the order to remove "all life support measures, and to allow Dinah Paige Whited to die."

Justin Whited initially objected to allowing the removal procedure. But at a dramatic court hearing Wednesday, he wept while watching a video of the child motionless in her tiny hospital bed, and he changed his mind after a short meeting with his wife.

The judge’s order noted that Dinah was admitted to Egleston on April 23, and she exhibited “catastrophic brain injuries and multiple broken bones.” Medical testimony during the hearing indicated she had no chance of recovery.

“In short, the injuries are the result of physical abuse being committed against the child,” said the judge’s order.