Georgia Woman Arrested After 4-Year-Old Girl’s Body Found in Trunk of Car at Sam’s Club Parking Lot
OAKWOOD, GEORGIA — Authorities in north Georgia have arrested a 36-year-old woman after discovering the body of a 4-year-old girl hidden inside the trunk of her car in a Sam’s Club parking lot, following a disturbing confession to her father.
According to investigators, Jessica Maria Motes was taken into custody Sunday evening and charged with concealing the death of a child after she allegedly told her father that she had “hurt” the girl and thought she was dead.
Disturbing Discovery in Sam’s Club Parking Lot
The investigation began when Motes’ father reportedly spotted his daughter driving her Nissan sedan into the Sam’s Club parking lot on Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood, about 45 miles northeast of Atlanta.
When he approached her, Motes allegedly confessed, saying she had “hurt” the child and adding, “I think she is dead.”
Her father immediately contacted law enforcement. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the body of the 4-year-old inside the trunk of Motes’ vehicle, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
Authorities have not yet released the victim’s name or confirmed her relationship to Motes.
Suspect Arrested, Investigation Expands
Motes was arrested and booked into the Hall County Jail, where she remains held without bond. Records show she faces a felony charge of concealing the death of another person, and additional charges may follow pending the results of the autopsy and ongoing investigation.
The Oakwood Police Department was first to respond to the scene and has since requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office to determine how and when the child died.
Neither agency has released details about a possible motive or cause of death.
Community Shocked by Gruesome Scene
The shocking discovery in a busy retail parking lot has left residents of the quiet Oakwood community shaken. Police cordoned off the area for several hours Sunday night as investigators and the GBI Crime Scene Unit processed evidence.
“This is the kind of case that’s just heartbreaking — especially when a child is involved,” one local resident told WXIA-TV. “It’s hard to even wrap your mind around how something like this happens.”
Awaiting Autopsy and Court Appearance
Authorities say an autopsy on the 4-year-old’s remains is being conducted by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the exact cause and manner of death.
Motes is expected to make her first court appearance in Hall County in the coming days. Officials have not said whether she has obtained legal representation.
How do you think cases like this should be handled to prevent future tragedies? Share your thoughts and join the conversation at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.