Weeks after the death of a 1-year-old southwest Atlanta girl, authorities have arrested the baby’s mother and charged her with murder, according to Fulton County Jail records.
Kennedy Johnson died of “blunt force injuries of the head and torso,” the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office said Friday. Her mother, Trakeisha Saunders, was booked into jail Oct. 6 and charged with aggravated assault and murder, records show.
It was Saunders who called 911 on Sept. 22 to report her child was unresponsive.
Kennedy didn’t appear to be breathing when a paramedic brought the baby out of Saunders’ apartment on Alison Court, a witness told Channel 2 Action News.
She was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
The medical examiner ruled the case a homicide, and Atlanta homicide detectives were called to investigate, according to Channel 2.
Saunders has been arrested at least four other times since 2007. Previous charges include shoplifting, giving a false name to an officer, traffic offenses in East Point, card fraud and obstruction of a law enforcement officer, according to jail records.
She was released on bond each time.
Saunders has another child, Channel 2 reported. It was unclear if that child was with relatives or in state custody.
Saunders is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing next Friday.
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