“The child’s death is certainly suspicious,” Lt. Col. Ron Hunton, head of criminal investigations at the Sheriff’s Office, told the Tribune on Friday.
The child was identified by the Sheriff’s Office as Kaylee Rayne Johnson.
The child’s mother, 22-year-old Jaime Beck of Bartow County, was at the Woodstock residence belonging to her boyfriend, Michael Naples, 30, when the child was injured, according to a release Friday from Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office.
Both Beck and Naples were in the home at the time of the accident, as well as Naples’ 6-year-old son and Beck’s 3-year-old daughter, Hunton said.
The other two children are now in custody with the Department of Family and Children Services because of the investigation, Hunton said.
“We’ve spoken to the mother, she remains cooperative,” Hunton said. “The boyfriend initially was, however he’s retained counsel and has declined to speak with us.”
Baker said deputies were sent to 204 Red Bird Way on an injured child call about 2 a.m. Sunday.
“The mother advised deputies she got up to get a glass of water and noticed the door to the basement was open,” Baker said. “She then stated she saw her daughter lying on the ground at the bottom of the stairs.”
Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services personnel were unable to get the child to respond, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Hunton declined to describe Kaylee’s injuries.
Kaylee was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital and later flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She was put on life support but died Tuesday, Baker said.
An autopsy was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation medical examiner Wednesday.
“The cause and manner of death is still under investigation,” Baker said.
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