The parents of the child, whose name is being withheld, are currently facing charges of murder and cruelty to children.
A statement from the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office said Robert Derek Downey, 46, and Melanie Ann Prichard, 36, have been arrested and were booked into the Haralson County Jail.
The exact cause of death has not been determined yet, Sheriff Eddie Mixon said, pending the completion of the examination by the state crime lab.
“Nothing impacts law enforcement like the death of a child,” Mixon said. “Today, we are all grieving the loss of this little life.”
The girl was taken to Higgins Hospital, but was dead at the time of transport, according to the statement.
Mixon said the ambulance crew notified his office and his investigators began working the case immediately.
The couple charged with the offense reside at 515 Ivey Pope Road in Tallapoosa.
Mixon asked for the community to join him “in praying for all of those impacted by the death.”
The couple will likely face drug-related charges in the case as well, the sheriff said.
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