Georgia couple charged with murdering 5-year-old daughter who weighed 7 pounds

A Buford-area couple were arrested Tuesday morning and accused of murdering their 5-year-old daughter this past summer, authorities said.

Jerrail Maurice Mickens, 31, and Porscha Danielle Mickens, 29, are charged with felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office announced in a Facebook post.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton informed the sheriff’s office about the Mickens’ unresponsive child, Kylie L. Mickens, on June 7. The girl weighed about 7 pounds and was flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, according to the post. Due to her weight and condition, deputies notified investigators and the Hall County Division of Family and Children Services.

When the hospital told deputies that Kylie died a day later, the sheriff’s office launched a four-month investigation, which included interviews, a search of the Mickens' home and an autopsy by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, the post stated.

Investigators received Kylie’s autopsy results in early October, which said her cause of death was a result of malnutrition and dehydration due to medical neglect. The results confirmed that her death was a homicide, according to the post.

Online jail records show Jerrail and Porscha Mickens were booked into the Hall County Jail with no bond Tuesday afternoon.

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