Police have named a suspect in the alleged beating death of a 9-month-old Atlanta boy.
As of Wednesday afternoon, however, he had not been apprehended — and was considered to be armed and dangerous.
Atlanta police announced Wednesday afternoon that warrants had been issued charging 26-year-old Jaquest Deeric Norris in connection with the death of Monte Jones, who died Nov. 11 after being taken to the Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital two days earlier. The child died of blunt force trauma, and investigators also found evidence of sexual assault, authorities said.
Lt. Charles Hampton said Norris was last seen at 2909 Campbellton Road, the same apartment where the child was allegedly injured while in his care. The boy’s mother, Jasmine Jones, reportedly told police she left Monte and her two other children with a neighbor while she went to work.
She told Channel 2 Action News that she believes Norris is related to that neighbor.
“I didn’t think he was creepy or devilish like that,” she said, adding that she originally thought her son’s injuries were due to negligence. She said Monte had a broken leg, broken ribs and a cracked skull.
“That’s my baby. Who would want to do something to my baby, my son?” Jones told Channel 2.
The Atlanta Police Department and the FBI’s fugitive task force are searching for Norris. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI’s M.A. Gardner at 404-392-2598.
Tipsters can also remain anonymous — and be eligible for rewards — by contacting Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS or crimestoppersatlanta.org.
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