Man now faces murder charge in Macon infant death

Deputies say the infant died after being treated for severe injuries.

UPDATE: Coroner Leon Jones tells 41NBC an autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning at 7:30 at the GBI Crime Lab in DeKalb County.

ORIGINAL STORY:

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A man is now charged with murder after a six-month-old infant died from injuries following a reported medical emergency at a Macon home.

According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded just before 8:30 p.m. Sunday to a home on Fairmont Avenue after getting a call about a newborn infant not breathing.

According to the sheriff’s office, paramedics took the infant to Atrium Health Navicent Children’s Hospital for treatment. Deputies spoke with 24-year-old Willie George Northern Jr. of Kathleen at the home. They say Northern told them he was watching his girlfriend’s newborn son, fed him, swaddled him and laid him down before later finding the child unresponsive and calling 911.

Deputies say hospital staff determined the infant had severe injuries and was in critical condition. Medical crews airlifted him to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta for further treatment.

Deputies took Northern to the sheriff’s office Investigations Headquarters for questioning. He was eventually taken into custody and charged with first-degree cruelty to children and tampering with evidence.

Just after 11 p.n. Tuesday, medical staff reported the infant died.

A murder warrant has now been obtained for Northern, who remains in custody at the Bibb County Jail.