OAKWOOD, Ga. — A welfare check that led police to the body of a 4-year-old child in the trunk of a car has now resulted in upgraded charges against a Gainesville woman.
36-year-old Jessica Motes, formerly of White County, was initially charged with concealing death. On Wednesday, the GBI announced that she is now also charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, and first-degree cruelty to children.
The charges follow what investigators describe as significant evidence gathered during the joint investigation by the GBI, Oakwood Police Department, and Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigation ongoing
The investigation began just after 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, when Oakwood police officers were dispatched to the Tractor Supply parking lot on Mundy Mill Road. According to an incident report obtained by Now Habersham, family members contacted 911 after receiving alarming messages from Motes “about some type of injury involving her child.”
Officers searched the Tractor Supply lot and the surrounding area, but they were unable to locate the vehicle described by the caller. They expanded their search to the adjacent Sam’s Club parking lot, where they found a red 2016 Nissan Sentra matching the description.
Inside the trunk, officers discovered the body of 4-year-old Autumn Fox. Motes, who lived with the child at a residence Hall County, according to the GBI, was taken into custody at the scene. Video posted by an eyewitness showed officers surrounding the car in the Sam’s Club lot as the investigation unfolded.
Authorities have not released details about Fox’s injuries or the events leading up to her death.
Information gathered from Motes’ social media accounts indicates she reportedly studied at the North Georgia Nursing Academy in Flowery Branch and is a graduate of White County High School. She remains in the Hall County Detention Center without bond, where she has been held since her initial arrest.
The GBI says the investigation remains active and ongoing. Once complete, the case will be turned over to the Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
