Two Women Charged in Death of 4-Year-Old Found in Atlanta Closet
Authorities say Colby Cooks died of blunt force trauma after being left unattended with four other children in a townhome.
By Ethan Cook ·
Two women face murder charges following the discovery of a four-year-old boy's body in an Atlanta townhome. Police found Colby Cooks beneath a pile of clothes in a master bedroom closet at approximately 7:20 p.m. on Monday during a welfare check.
Medical examiners determined the death was a homicide resulting from blunt force trauma. The investigation revealed severe injuries, including a lacerated liver and spleen, burns, bruises, and possible broken limbs. Older healed scars were also noted on the boy's body. Investigators estimate that Cooks died between 12 and 24 hours before his body was located.
Jasmaine Smoak, 32, and Jasmine Tyree Jenkins, 30, were arrested in Wilkes County. Both face charges of murder and first-degree cruelty to children. Arrest warrants indicate that Smoak served as the primary caretaker for Cooks and four other children residing in the home. None of the children were related to her. Jenkins, a friend of Smoak, also lived in the residence.
Warrants state that the two women left the children alone on Sunday evening. On Monday, Smoak called her father to report that an unresponsive child had ingested medication. Her father immediately contacted 911, noting that his daughter had already left the home. Smoak departed in a Mercedes-Benz with the four surviving children before police located them.
One surviving child, a five-year-old, was hospitalized in Augusta for malnourishment and facial injuries consistent with abuse. Smoak is currently held at the Fulton County Jail. Jenkins remains in Wilkes County pending extradition.
