Child dies after woman allegedly leaves kids at home for 12 hours, eating roaches and ants
ATLANTA (ANF/Gray News) — A Georgia woman is facing several charges after authorities say six children, one of whom died, were left at home for hours.
According to arrest warrants and state officials, Sherry Magby, 37, has been charged with six counts of second-degree cruelty to children.
Authorities say five kids, all under 8 years old, were left for 12 hours “under the supervision” of their 10-year-old sibling.
The siblings were left without “adequate food or suitable living conditions,” warrants stated. The home also had “strong, foul odor consistent with unsanitary living conditions,” and every room was in disarray.
One of the children was eating roaches and ants because there was “insufficient food” in the home, the arrest warrants continued. Police said the child was a 1-year-old.
Magby’s relationship to the children was immediately unknown.
On Thursday, a Georgia Department of Human Services spokesperson confirmed that one of the children at the home died.
“We are devastated over the loss of this child and extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones. We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The department did not release further details.
Magby has an upcoming trial next month for another child cruelty charge from a separate case, in which she’s accused of cutting a child in the back while he tried to get away from her.
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