Athens welcomes New Year’s baby

Zantavia Armstead welcomes her New Year’s baby boy, Zahkari Nymir Hardy! Born at 12:41 a.m. on January 1st. Mom and son are pictured here with Piedmont Regional Athens nurse, Mallory Smith. (Piedmont Athens Regional/Facebook)

ATHENS, Ga. — A Northeast Georgia family rang in the New Year with a special arrival.

Zantavia Armstead welcomed her baby boy, Zahkari Nymir Hardy, just after midnight on Jan. 1 at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.

Zahkari was born at 12:41 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long.

Armstead posed for photos with her son as the hospital staff welcomed their first delivery of 2026.

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