Two women charged in death of 4-year-old boy found in Atlanta closet

Two women were arrested in connection with the death of a 4-year-old boy found inside a home in Atlanta on Monday evening. The child, identified as Colby Cooks, was discovered around 7:20 p.m. during a welfare check at a townhome.

Officers located Cooks beneath a pile of clothes in a master bedroom closet. Medical examiners determined the cause of death was homicide resulting from blunt force trauma. The report listed severe injuries, including a lacerated liver and spleen, burns, bruises, and possible broken limbs. Investigators noted older healed scars on the boy's body and estimated he died 12 to 24 hours before discovery.

Jasmaine Smoak, 32, and Jasmine Tyree Jenkins, 30, were both arrested in Wilkes County. They face charges of murder and first-degree cruelty to children. Arrest warrants state that Smoak served as the primary caretaker for Cooks and four other children residing in the home. None of the children were related to Smoak. Jenkins, described as a friend of Smoak, also lived at the address.

Warrants indicate the two women left the children unattended on Sunday evening to go out. On Monday, Smoak called her father and claimed an unresponsive child in the home had taken medication. Her father reported to 911 that his daughter had left the residence. Smoak departed the home in a Mercedes-Benz with the four surviving children before police located her.

One of the surviving children, a 5-year-old, was hospitalized in Augusta for malnourishment and facial injuries. Doctors determined the facial injuries stemmed from abuse. Smoak is currently held at the Fulton County Jail. Jenkins remains in Wilkes County while awaiting extradition.