A Jonesboro woman faces murder and child cruelty charges in the death of her 16-year-old daughter earlier this year, authorities said.
Terri Marie Taylor was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon, more than six months after the teenager died.
Police found the girl unconscious after responding to the Jonesboro home Jan. 6, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. She was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Investigators described the home where the child was found as “extremely disorderly,” with little food, an insect infestation and medications that were dirty or improperly stored.
An autopsy revealed the teen had high blood sugar levels leading up to her death, the sheriff's office said in its release. The girl's sibling reportedly told police she was sick for at least three days and unable to speak, eat or drink.
“Further investigation found that the victim had two prior hospitalizations and had not followed up with a doctor since 2017,” the sheriff’s office said.
According to investigators, the Division of Family and Children Services was called to the home in July 2018 to look into allegations of medical neglect.
“The death was ruled a homicide due to the preceding circumstances, and history of neglect between the mother and victim,” the sheriff’s office said.
The teen’s name was not released.
Taylor is charged with murder, first-degree cruelty to children and second-degree cruelty to children, records show. She remains held without bond at the Clayton County Jail.
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Credit: AJC
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