A Georgia man and woman accused of killing their newborn baby, then hiding the infant’s body in secluded woods behind their Covington home in 2017, are facing their first day of a trial. A jury heard opening statements Tuesday morning inside a Newton County courthouse.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Christopher McNabb is accused of aggravated battery, felony murder, malice murder, and concealing the death of another, in relation to the death of his 15-day-old daughter, Caliyah McNabb. The Newton County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that the baby died from blunt force trauma.
The warrant against the suspect states that baby Caliyah suffered a blow so severe to her head that her skull was “seriously disfigured and damaged beyond repair.” After causing fatal injuries to the infant, McNabb wrapped her in a blanket and one of his t-shirts and put her into his duffel bag, according to the warrant. He then reportedly took Caliyah into the woods and buried her in a depressed area under a log.
Capt. Crum with the Newton County PD said that along with evidence found at the crime scene, McNabb made incriminating statements when first interviewed on Saturday.
“I think we know and can prove in a court what happened and that’s the next step,” said Crum. “He had made a couple of initial statements then he indicated to investigators he did not wish to talk anymore.”
Caliyah’s mother, Cortney Bell, is also charged with the child’s death. She’s facing charges of second-degree murder, contributing to the deprivation of a minor, and second-degree child abuse.
“We’re not going to sugar coat anything for you, we’re going to show you exactly how this baby was living,” Newton County Assistant District Attorney Alex Stone said in court on Tuesday morning.
[Feature Photo: Caliyah McNabb/Family Handout]
