A 5-year-old Buford girl weighed approximately seven pounds when she died in early June, and her parents were arrested in connection to her death Tuesday.
Jerrail Maurice Mickens, 31, and Porsha Danielle Mickens, 29, were arrested at their Rustic Pine Lane home Tuesday, each charged with felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children, according to the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
According to Derreck Booth of the Hall County Sheriff's Office, the parents brought her to the hospital for help, but it was too late. “This investigation started back in June when officials at NE GA medical center in Braselton notified the sheriff’s office about an unresponsive 5-year old child, Kylie Mickens, a little girl, who had been brought to the hospital for treatment by her parents," says Booth. Her condition was immediately a concern. "Kylie weighed approximately 7lbs at 5 years old and was, as I mentioned, unresponsive," says Booth. Due to her weight and overall condition, hospital workers contacted the Sheriff's Office and the Hall County Division of Family and Children Services. She was airlifted to CHOA.
Kylie died on June 8 at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, just one day after she was brought to the hospital. "And that’s when the sheriff’s office began the investigation with interviews, a search warrant at the home, as well as an autopsy by the GBI. The Department of Family and Children Services was also involved," says Booth.
In early October, the autopsy was returned, leading to the eventual arrest of her parents. "Those autopsy results came and indicated that Kylie’s cause of death was dehydration and malnutrition due to medical neglect and the manner of death ruled homicide," says Booth.
Jerrail and Porscha Mickens remain in the Hall County Jail without bond. The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate.
