ATLANTA, Ga. — A quiet home on 3rd Avenue Southwest is now at the center of a heartbreaking investigation after a 4-month-old baby girl was found unresponsive and later died from severe injuries.
Police say Marcus Woolery is now facing felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children charges in connection with the death of his daughter, Ma’liyeh Woolery. The child had only been in the world a few short months, born on December 8, before her life was cut tragically short.
It all came to light on April 11, when a 911 call was made from the residence. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and found the infant unresponsive. Grady EMS quickly transported her to Hughes Spalding Hospital, hoping to stabilize her condition.
Doctors soon realized the situation was far more serious than it first appeared. The baby was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite for advanced treatment. Despite those efforts, she did not survive.
An autopsy conducted on April 15 revealed the cause of death as abusive head trauma. Medical officials reported severe internal injuries, including bleeding in the brain, eyes, and spinal area. These are injuries often linked to what many recognize as shaken baby syndrome.
Investigators noted that injuries of this nature usually cause immediate and noticeable symptoms. That detail became key as detectives worked to piece together what happened inside the home during those critical hours.
Authorities also learned that the child’s mother had been hospitalized days earlier for an unrelated condition. She was not home when the injuries are believed to have occurred, leaving Woolery as the only caregiver present at the time.
With those findings, investigators moved forward with charges. The case is still active, and officials say they are continuing to gather evidence as they prepare for court proceedings. For now, a family is left grieving, and a community is left searching for answers.
