MILTON, Ga. — Milton police say a pattern of neglect over at least five months led to the death of a 1-year-old baby girl.
Police have charged Shaun Jewell, 35, and Altair Murphy Hubbard, 30 with felony murder and cruelty to children.
Investigators said they were first called to the family’s Twinrose Place townhome in October because the little girl was having difficulty breathing. They said she later died at the hospital.
“From initial contact with this family, our assumption it was just a medical problem,” said Captain Shawn McCarty. “We did not know the depths (of) the problem.”
McCarty said an autopsy revealed the girl died from “system failures” as a result of malnutrition and lack of medical care.
“It was neglect of basic needs,” McCarty said.
Police said the family had three children, the remainder of whom are now state custody.
Neighbor Ruben Navarro said he was shocked to hear about the circumstances.
“Only imagine that somebody can do that to a child, it’s unacceptable. Literally unacceptable,” he said. “I’m so sorry about it.”
The parents are currently being held in the Fulton County Jail without bail.
Milton police said Jewell had previously been arrested by Sandy Springs and Milton police in 2012 and 2013 on charges of domestic battery and cruelty to children.
WSBTV
