Cobee Cooks died from blunt force injuries, and authorities say another child recovered during the investigation showed signs of abuse.
ATLANTA — Two women face murder charges after 4-year-old Cobee Cooks was found dead inside a southwest Atlanta home during a welfare check, authorities said. Court records allege the child had suffered repeated abuse before officers discovered him beneath clothing inside a bedroom closet.
Atlanta police responded to the Cardinal Drive home on Oct. 26 after a relative of one of the suspects called 911 about an unresponsive child, according to police accounts and court records cited by local news organizations. Officers forced their way inside and found Cobee dead. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that he died from multiple blunt force injuries and ruled the death a homicide.
Jasmaine Smoak, 32, and Jasmine Jenkins have been arrested in connection with Cobee’s death. Police identified Smoak as a friend of the boy’s mother and said she had been caring for several children. Authorities have not publicly explained the full circumstances under which the children came into her care. Court documents identified Jenkins as Smoak’s friend and alleged that she was present during events connected to the child’s death.
Arrest warrants reviewed by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV allege Cobee had suffered injuries over an extended period. The records describe both recent and healed injuries discovered during the investigation and autopsy. Authorities have alleged that the treatment of the child amounted to prolonged abuse. The medical examiner determined that blunt force injuries caused his death.
Police said Smoak left the Atlanta residence with three other children before officers arrived. Investigators traced her to Wilkes County in eastern Georgia, where deputies helped take her into custody and recover the children. At least one child had visible injuries and was taken for medical treatment, police said. Court records cited by local outlets identified that child as Cobee’s 5-year-old brother and alleged he showed signs of malnourishment and abuse.
Smoak initially faced charges including concealing the death of another and second-degree cruelty to children. After the investigation and autopsy developed, Atlanta police said she also faced charges of murder, aggravated assault and first-degree cruelty to children. The allegations are charges, and no determination of guilt has been made.
Jenkins was arrested in Wilkes County on Oct. 29. Atlanta police said she faced murder and first-degree cruelty to children charges. Warrants cited by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution allege Jenkins knew of, participated in or observed conduct that resulted in Cobee’s fatal injuries. Authorities have not publicly released a detailed account establishing the precise role they allege each woman played, and the accusations remain subject to court proceedings.
Cobee’s grandparents, Andrea and Brian Cooks, told WSB-TV that the family was devastated by his death. They described him as a child with a sweet and energetic personality. The family has also said concerns had previously been raised about the welfare of Cobee and his brother. The Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Family and Children Services declined to discuss whether it had conducted earlier investigations involving the child, citing the ongoing case, but said it would cooperate with law enforcement.
A memorial of balloons and stuffed animals was placed outside the southwest Atlanta home after Cobee’s death. Family members have also been supporting his surviving brother as he receives care. Authorities have not publicly disclosed additional details about the conditions or locations of the other children recovered during the investigation beyond saying they were found when Smoak was arrested.
The investigation remains active as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding Cobee’s death and the treatment of the other children. Police and prosecutors have not announced final dispositions in the cases against Smoak and Jenkins, and additional evidence may emerge as the criminal proceedings move forward.