A Georgia man poisons his newborn baby with antifreeze in breastmilk.
The man, Curtis Jack, is now sentenced to 50 years for attempted murder after the jury found him guilty of the crime. This sentence, imposed after a jury's guilty verdict, includes 40 years of incarceration followed by 10 years of probation, as confirmed by Police Sgt. Pserda Dickerson.
Georgia Man Commits Antifreeze Poisoning
Curtis Jack faced legal consequences recently, being convicted for attempted murder and first-degree child cruelty related to an incident on October 2, 2020, involving a newborn just eight days old, as reported by the South Fulton Police Department.
Police Sgt. Pserda Dickerson, heading the investigation, said that after a week-long trial, a jury found Jack guilty on Thursday, April 11.
The sequence of events started with the birth of the baby girl on September 24, 2020, against Jack's wishes for termination. During the mother's hospitalization post-birth, Jack took charge of delivering breastmilk bottles to the baby's grandmother, who looked after the infant during the mother's recovery.
Within a day of consuming the milk, the newborn fell critically ill, prompting suspicions of poisoning, according to police statements. Following medical tests at a local hospital, the presence of ethylene glycol, commonly found in antifreeze used in automobiles, was confirmed, leading to grave concerns about the baby's well-being.
Antifreeze, commonly used in car radiators to prevent freezing and overheating, contains chemicals like ethylene glycol and methanol, both highly toxic if ingested.
Even a small amount can lead to life-threatening complications, with symptoms often appearing gradually over hours, making it easy to underestimate the danger it poses.
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Jury Verdict for Attempted Murder
When questioned by police regarding the infant's potential poisoning, Jack confessed to investigators that he had introduced antifreeze into the obtained breastmilk.
Authorities stated on social media, "After delivering the breastmilk to the child's grandmother, who was also caring for the woman's other daughter, the child became critically ill within 24 hours, suspected of being poisoned. Jack admitted to adding antifreeze to the breastmilk to South Fulton Police Department detectives."
Following this admission, a warrant was secured, leading to Jack's arrest on charges of criminal attempt to commit murder and first-degree child cruelty.
During the investigation, police revealed that Jack's motive for poisoning his newborn daughter's milk was to evade child support obligations. The trial proceedings showcased a compelling case against Jack, with testimonies from various sources.
South Fulton police detailed, "During the trial, the State presented testimonies from the child's mother, grandmother, law enforcement officers, and medical experts, including a demonstration of how easy it was to poison the breastmilk."
Medical experts emphasized the severe dangers of ingesting automotive antifreeze, which can lead to symptoms such as drowsiness, vomiting, kidney damage, and even death, according to poisonhelp.org.
Despite Jack's actions, the child's mother expressed relief that her daughter is recovering well after the ordeal.
Following a thorough trial, which included significant testimonies and evidence, the jury unanimously found Jack guilty on all charges.
In response to the verdict, South Fulton police announced Jack's 50-year prison sentence, with 40 years to be served behind bars. They also extended gratitude to Madam Fani Willis and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office for their efforts in achieving justice for the victim and her family.
