Atlanta child beaten to death, found in closet after 12 hours

Atlanta police charged two women with murder after finding a 4-year-old boy dead in a closet. Authorities discovered the body during a welfare check at a townhome. The victim, identified as Colby Cooks, was hidden beneath a pile of clothes in a master bedroom closet around 7:20 p.m. Monday.

Medical examiners ruled the death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. The report lists severe injuries, including a lacerated liver and spleen, burns, and bruises. Investigators also noted possible broken limbs and older healed scars. Officials estimate Cooks died 12 to 24 hours before police found him.

Jasmaine Smoak, 32, and Jasmine Tyree Jenkins, 30, were arrested in Wilkes County. Both face charges of murder and first-degree cruelty to children. Arrest warrants state Smoak was the primary caretaker for Cooks and four other children living in the home. None of the children are related to her. Jenkins, described as a friend, also resided at the address.

Warrants allege the two women left the children unattended on Sunday evening to go out. The next day, Smoak called her father, claiming an unresponsive child had taken medication. Her father called 911 and reported that his daughter had left the home. Smoak departed in a Mercedes-Benz with the four surviving children before officers located her.

One surviving child, a 5-year-old, was hospitalized in Augusta. Doctors determined the child suffered from malnourishment and facial injuries stemming from abuse. Smoak is currently held at the Fulton County Jail. Jenkins remains in Wilkes County while awaiting extradition.