A Newton County father has been charged with murder in the death of his 15-day-old daughter, according to police.
Christopher Michael McNabb was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery and concealing a death, Capt. Keith Crum with the Newton Sheriff’s Office said. McNabb is accused of killing baby Caliyah, then hiding her body in the woods behind the family’s mobile home.
An autopsy determined Caliyah died from blunt force trauma to the head, Newton Coroner Tommy Davis said late Tuesday.
Caliyah’s mother, Cortney Bell, called 911 Saturday morning to report her missing, launching an extensive search of the mobile home community. That night, McNabb pleaded for his daughter to be returned.
On Sunday, searchers found the baby's body. Before McNabb could be questioned by investigators, he jumped out of a moving vehicle and ran, according to police. He was later found after a convenience store clerk recognized him. Sunday night, McNabb was arrested for an unrelated probation violation from Bartow County.
McNabb is expected to appear in court Thursday. He was being held without bond.
Read more about this case and its similarities to another Gwinnett infant death more than 25 years ago at myAJC.com.
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