Child found dead inside southwest Atlanta home; woman arrested in Central Savannah River Area

A woman has been arrested in connection with the investigation into a child found dead inside a southwest Atlanta home, according to the Wilkes County sheriff.

Jasmaine Smoak was arrested Tuesday around 1:30 a.m. at a home in Wilkes County, the sheriff said. She remains in custody there until she is transported to Atlanta.

The sheriff's office had been working with Atlanta police on the case and learned that Smoak might be in the area, the sheriff said. The sheriff said he did not believe Smoak was related to the child but said she may have had a relationship with the child's father.

Atlanta police are handling the investigation. Information about any charges against Smoak was not provided.

Officers responded to a welfare check at a home on Cardinal Drive SW around 7:20 p.m. Monday, according to Lt. Christopher Butler, commander of the Atlanta Police Department's Homicide Unit. Butler said officers and Atlanta Fire Rescue personnel forced their way inside based on the information they received for the welfare check.

Officers found the child inside, and medical personnel pronounced the child dead at the scene, police said.

At a news conference, Butler said investigators were working to determine the circumstances surrounding the child's death and trying to locate family members. He said the child's identity was unknown and investigators were still working to determine the child's age.

The investigation remains ongoing.