Starved teen was mentally challenged, police have said
The 16-year-old Cobb County girl allegedly starved to death by her mother had been described by police as mentally challenged, and at one time had wandered away from her home.
Markea Berry, of Mableton, was found dead in her home Friday afternoon by Cobb County police. Investigators said they believe she starved to death.
Markea's mother, Ebony Espree Berry, was arrested and charged with murder and child cruelty, according to her arrest warrant obtained by the AJC. Berry, 35, remained Monday evening in the Cobb County jail, where she was being held without bond.
Ebony Berry is accused of refusing to seek medical treatment for her teen daughter, who was suffering from extreme malnourishment, the warrant states. Investigators believe the girl's malnourishment had gone on longer than a year.
In August 2010, Cobb County police launched a search for Markea, who had apparently wandered away from her family's Concord Road home. At that time, police told the AJC Markea was mentally challenged and functioned at a third-grade level despite being 14.
She was found safe the next morning at the Wal-Mart in Austell.
Following Markea's death Friday, other children were removed from the home and placed in state custody, according to police.
