A Georgia mother faces felony murder and child cruelty charges after her 1-year-old daughter was found dead in a pond last week, authorities said.
Asia Calabrese-Lewis, 24, was arrested and booked in the Fulton County Jail, according to a May 12press releasefrom the Sandy Springs Police Department.
On May 11, around 6:40 p.m., officers were called to the Concourse office complex in Sandy Springs, an Atlanta suburb, where Lewis was allegedly having “some type of episode,” police said.
Nirvana Genesis Oliver.Facebook
An extensive search was launched and 1-year-old Nirvana Oliver was eventually found in a body of water, according to police. The girl was rushed to the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, where she was pronounced dead.
According to authorities, officers responded to a business the day before about a welfare check involving possible child abuse involving Lewis and an unspecified juvenile,11 Alive,13WMAZ, andFox 5 Atlantareport.
However, no charges were filed as police reportedly said they did not feel a crime had been committed. Police then made a referral to the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) after escorting the mother and juvenile back to their home and making contact with the child’s father, 11 Alive reports.
“We opened a case and attempted a home visit on May 11,” the statement read, in part. “This loss is devastating, and our deepest condolences go out to Nirvana’s loved ones.”
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The family has since launched aGoFundMepage to help offset funeral costs for Nirvana, who would have turned 2 years old on June 18.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said. It’s unclear if Lewis has entered a plea or retained an attorney to comment on her behalf.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Detective J. Pearson atjpearson@sandyspringsga.govor 770-551-6939.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
