The attorney for a Buford-area couple accused of starving their 5-year-old daughter to death said the child had a medical condition that prevented her from gaining weight.
Jerrail Maurice Mickens, 31, and Porscha Danielle Mickens, 29, were arrested on murder and child cruelty charges Tuesday in the death of Kylie L. Mickens.
Their daughter weighed just 7 pounds this past summer when she was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton, Hall County deputies said. She was flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, but died the next day.
Due to her weight and condition, deputies notified investigators and the Hall County Division of Family and Children Services, prompting a four-month investigation into the girl’s parents, authorities said.
An autopsy conducted by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office showed Kylie died as a result of malnutrition and dehydration due to medical neglect, according to the sheriff’s office. Her death was ruled a homicide, prompting murder charges against her parents.
The couple’s arrest warrants accuse Jerrail and Porscha Mickens of depriving their daughter of adequate food, nutrition and medical care needed to survive, causing her to starve. Their defense attorney, Corinne Mull, said Kylie had a chromosomal deficiency that made it difficult for her to swallow, eat and drink.
Mull said the child suffered from 1p36 deletion syndrome, a rare disorder that typically causes severe intellectual disability, weak muscle tone and trouble swallowing.
“She had a hard time keeping weight on from birth,” Mull told AJC.com, adding Kylie never weighed much more than 10 pounds. “This is a medical issue, not a ‘starvation’ issue. Their other two children are perfectly healthy.”
She said both parents intend to plead not guilty, and that a motion has been filed for a bond hearing in Superior Court.
Jerrail and Porscha Mickens remain held at the Hall County Jail, records show.
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