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Summary: A Georgia father has been indicted on criminal charges for the death of his infant son. Prosecutors allege he planned to leave the boy in the car because he wanted a “child-free life.”
NBC News reveals Justin Ross Harris has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple murder charges. Harris, 33, whose 22-month-old toddler died due to injuries he suffered from being left in a hot car, was indicted on eight charges, including malice murder, felony murder, and cruelty to children.
Harris told investigators that he forgot about Cooper, his infant son, when he went to work on June 18. Harris said that after seven hours passed, he remembered Cooper was in the hot SUV during a hot Georgia summer day.
Prosecutors, who did not buy the memory lapse story, stated that Harris intended to leave Cooper in the car because he wanted a “child-free life” and had performed internet searches on child deaths in hot cars. Harris has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail.
Leanna Harris, Justin’s wife, stated she was heartbroken over the loss of Cooper, but begged the public not to rush to judgment. “The rush to judgment by the public and mainstream media has left me with little confidence in our legal system and our society,” she said. The state has also argued that the couple was having marital problems, and that Justin Harris was sexting other women and living a double life.
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Harris faces charges unrelated to Cooper’s death as well. The Cobb County grand jury also indicted him for criminal attempt to commit a felony (sexual exploitation of a minor), as well as two counts of dissemination of harmful materials to minors. Apparently, those charges stem from Harris’ request of a nude photo from a female minor, as well as his sending the minor explicit photos.
Photo credit: al.com
