Oakwood, GA – A 36-year-old Georgia woman is facing multiple murder charges after police discovered the remains of a 4-year-old girl hidden in the trunk of her car outside a Sam’s Club. Authorities say Jessica Maria Motes confessed to her father that she had “hurt” the child and believed she was dead, leading to her arrest and a full-scale investigation.
The Incident: Child’s Body Found in Vehicle Trunk
According to a report from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the gruesome discovery was made on October 26 in the parking lot of a Sam’s Club on Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood, about 45 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Motes’ father reportedly saw her drive her Nissan sedan into the parking lot around 5 p.m., where she appeared distressed. When he approached her, she allegedly admitted to “hurting” the child and said, “I think she is dead.”
Afterward, her father drove her away from the scene and contacted law enforcement. Responding officers arrived at the location shortly after and found the remains of a 4-year-old girl in the trunk of the vehicle, which was registered to Motes.
Authorities have not yet revealed the identity of the victim or confirmed her relationship to Motes.
Investigation and Evidence Collected
The Oakwood Police Department initially responded to the scene before requesting assistance from the GBI and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said the child’s body showed signs of injury, prompting an expanded probe into potential abuse and homicide.
In a news release on Wednesday, the GBI confirmed that Motes’ charges had been upgraded following the initial findings.
“The additional charges resulted from a joint investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Oakwood Police Department, and Hall County Sheriff’s Office,” officials said.
Motes was initially arrested for concealing the death of a child, but the GBI later added charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, and first-degree cruelty to children.
According to investigators, the child’s death likely occurred before Motes arrived at the Sam’s Club parking lot, though the exact cause of death remains under review by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Court Proceedings and Criminal Charges
As of now, Jessica Maria Motes is being held without bond at the Hall County Detention Center, where she has been in custody since her arrest in late October.
The GBI confirmed that once the investigation is complete, the full case file will be forwarded to the Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Motes is expected to face court proceedings in the coming weeks, though an official court date has not yet been announced.
Her current charges include:
- Malice Murder
- Felony Murder
- Aggravated Battery
- First-Degree Cruelty to Children
- Concealing the Death of a Child
If convicted, Motes could face life imprisonment or the death penalty under Georgia law.
Reactions and Official Statements
Law enforcement agencies involved in the case described the incident as one of the most disturbing child death investigations they have encountered. Officials expressed gratitude to Motes’ father for alerting authorities immediately, which allowed police to locate the car and recover the child’s remains.
Community members in Oakwood have since held small vigils near the Sam’s Club parking lot to mourn the loss of the young girl.
“This is a heartbreaking case that underscores the importance of community awareness and immediate reporting when something feels wrong,” a GBI spokesperson said.
Background and Legal Context
Under Georgia law, malice murder refers to an intentional killing committed with deliberate intent, while felony murder involves causing a death during the commission of another felony. The addition of child cruelty and aggravated battery charges suggests investigators found evidence of physical harm inflicted prior to the child’s death.
Cases involving child victims are often prosecuted with enhanced penalties, and Georgia’s District Attorney’s Office typically seeks maximum sentencing in such situations.
Legal experts note that Motes’ alleged admissions to her father could become a key piece of evidence in court, reinforcing the prosecution’s claim of intent.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
The investigation remains active as the GBI awaits forensic results from the state crime lab. Detectives are also interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses to determine Motes’ movements leading up to the discovery.
Authorities said the motive remains unclear, but more details will be released following the completion of the autopsy and full case review.
Motes’ first court appearance on the new murder charges is expected within the next two weeks.
Conclusion
The shocking discovery of a 4-year-old girl’s body in the trunk of a car has left the Georgia community of Oakwood in disbelief. As prosecutors prepare to move forward, investigators say their focus remains on securing justice for the young victim and uncovering the full truth behind this tragic case.
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