Hall County deputies today arrested a Buford-area couple for murder in the death of their 5-year-old daughter. Kylie Mickens weighed just seven pounds when she died on June 8.
Officers took Jerrail Maurice Mickens, 31, and Porscha Danielle Mickens, 29, into custody without incident at their Rustic Pine Lane residence. They charged the couple with felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children.
There are some indications that the child may have suffered from a medical condition, but officials are not releasing that information.
“Due to the active and ongoing status of the investigation, I’m unable to confirm or deny anything further as far as details of the case,” says Hall County Sheriff’s spokesperson Derreck Booth. “The statement of charge is clear as to the victim’s cause and manner of death.”
A four-month-long investigation
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, on June 7, the Mickens took their daughter to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton for treatment. The girl was severely malnourished and unresponsive. Paramedics flew Kylie to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta, where she died the next day.
NGMC Braselton notified deputies of the child’s condition. The sheriff’s office then notified the Hall County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and launched an investigation.
During the four-month investigation, officers conducted interviews and executed
a search warrant at the Mickens’ home. The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy.
The GBI released the autopsy results earlier this month and they revealed Kylie died of dehydration and malnutrition due to medical neglect. The Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide.
Jerrail and Porscha Mickens were both booked into the Hall County Jail following their arrests.
The sheriff’s office is still investigating.
This article has been updated
