The Newton County parents convicted three weeks ago of killing their 2-week-old daughter are now both state inmates, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
On May 14, a jury convicted Christopher McNabb and Cortney Bell in the 2017 murder of Caliyah, though both adamantly denied involvement in the baby’s death. McNabb was sentenced to life in prison without parole; Bell to 30 years with 15 to serve.
Prior to his trial, McNabb had already returned to state prison on a probation violation. He was returned to Hays State Prison in Trion, according to the DOC.
On Monday, Bell was moved from the Newton jail to Arrandale State Prison, located near Alto in Habersham County.
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In October 2017, Bell reported the baby missing from the family’s mobile home and McNabb angrily demanded her return in front of television cameras. It’s likely that Caliyah was already dead by the time McNabb pleaded for the community’s help in finding her, according to investigators.
The following day, Caliyah’s tiny body was discovered in a drawstring Nike bag in a wooded area not far from the family’s home. The newborn had multiple skull fractures and her teeth poked through her gums, the medical examiner testified during the trial.
McNabb was indicted by a grand jury on eight counts, including malice murder, felony murder, second-degree murder, aggravated battery and concealing the death of another. Bell was indicted on second-degree murder, child cruelty and child deprivation charges.
Jurors took about an hour to convict them both on all charges.
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