An Atlanta father has been charged with murder after his 22-month-old son died after being left in a SUV for seven hours in the heat. He is also facing charges of cruelty to children in the first degree, according to an arrest warrant.
Justin Ross Harris, 33, of Marietta was denied bond after his first court appearance in front of a Cobb County judge Thursday evening. Due to the seriousness of the charge, the judge advised Harris’ attorney that a bond could not be set. Harris will remain in jail until his next court appearance on July 15.
Harris told police that he left his toddler unattended and strapped into a child car seat for approximately seven hours in 90 plus degree heat, after which the child was found deceased. Harris was supposed to drop his son at a day care center on Wednesday morning before going to work at Home Depot. However, the child never made it to the day care center and spent the day in the car seat in the parking lot. Harris told Police he somehow forgot the child was in the backseat of his four-door SUV. The child whose name and gender has not been released by authorities is believed to be Cooper, according to Harris’ Facebook.
Police discovered the child in the back seat of Harris’ Hyundai Tucson as witnesses began gathering around the car. Harris rushed outside to remove the child from the car. Witnesses and paramedics administered CPR in attempt to save the child while arriving officers arrested Harris. “What have I done? I’ve killed our child,” he screamed according to witnesses at the scene. The child later died at a local hospital due to being left in the car.
Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said that the investigation is “far from over.” An autopsy will be conducted by the Cobb County to determine the cause of death for the child.