Background: News footage of the home in Macon, Ga., where Willie Northern was allegedly watching his girlfriend”s baby (WMAZ). Inset: Willie Northern (Bibb County Sheriff’s Office).
A Georgia man, who should not have been at his girlfriend’s residence, was taken into custody following the death of her infant.
Willie George Northern Jr., aged 24, was under house arrest in Houston County, Georgia, when he was left in charge of his girlfriend’s 6-month-old son, Myles. However, his girlfriend’s home was situated in Bibb County, more than 30 miles from his designated location. Northern now faces charges related to the tragic death of Myles, who passed away on Tuesday.
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office reported that Northern was caring for Myles on Monday while the child’s mother was at work. Northern stated that after feeding and swaddling the baby, he put him to bed. Later, upon checking on Myles, he found him “unresponsive” and immediately called 911. Emergency responders swiftly transported Myles to a children’s hospital for urgent care.
At the hospital, medical personnel found the infant suffering from “severe injuries,” prompting an airlift to another medical facility due to his critical state. As per court documents reviewed by local CBS affiliate WMAZ, Myles had multiple brain bleeds and a fractured collarbone.
Authorities concluded that Northern was likely responsible for the injuries, leading to his arrest on charges of child cruelty and evidence tampering.
Following Myles’ death from his injuries the next day, Northern’s charges were escalated to include murder.
According to WMAZ, Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards confirmed that Northern was under house arrest at his home in Kathleen, Georgia, which is more than 30 miles from his girlfriend’s house in Macon. Northern would have had to get the permission of a judge to travel outside Houston County, which he allegedly did not.
Bibb County officials noted that Northern was wearing an ankle monitor when they encountered him. It was not immediately clear if Northern would face additional charges for allegedly violating house arrest.
Northern was charged with murder, cruelty to children, and tampering with evidence, and is in custody at the Bibb County Jail.
