Newton County

Witness says father of baby found dead in woods yelled 'I didn't do it' before arrest

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — Newly obtained surveillance video shows the father of a baby found dead in the woods after the discovery of her body.

Investigators say McNabb tried to hide from police after he learned volunteers found the infant’s body in the woods.

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The surveillance video shows that McNabb walked inside a Food Mart convenience store and told the clerk he "didn't do it."

“He said to everybody here that he didn't kill his baby,” said Kathryn Wesley, who was inside the store when McNabb entered around 7 p.m. Sunday. “He was soaking wet. He had on black pants, a black shirt and a hat.”

The clerk, Julie Hannah, noticed McNabb because of his facial tattoos.

“He just said, 'Do you recognize me? You know me?” Hannah explained.

Fearing for her safety, Hannah told McNabb she did not recognize him. She said he appeared agitated and kept raising his voice.

“He was just screaming and hollering, 'I didn't do it, I didn't do it. Y'all are gonna look crazy when you realize who do it!'” she said.

Caliyah McNabb was reported missing Saturday. That evening, McNabb made a plea on Channel 2 Action News.

"I want my kid, man!" he told Channel 2's Chris Jose.

On Sunday afternoon, volunteer searchers discovered Caliyah's body in the woods near her home. She was 2-weeks-old.

Investigators say Chris McNabb ran away and turned up at the gas station four hours later.

McNabb is now in jail on a probation violation out of Bartow County. Investigators told Jose there's not enough evidence to connect him to Caliyah's death but he remains a person of interest.

Caliyah's mother, Courtney Bell, gave a statement to the Sheriff's Office. She is not considered a person of interest.

Investigators say they'll have a better idea of where to go next with the case after the medical examiner reveals the cause of death.