Case Summary
- Case Type
- Homicide
- Incident Date
- Monday
- Incident Time
- evening
- Location
- Atlanta apartment, Atlanta, GA
- Investigating Agency
- Law & Crime
- Suspect
- Jasmaine Smoak
- Suspect Age
- 32
- Victim Count
- 2
- Charges
- murder, aggravated assault, cruelty to children, concealing a death
- Arrest Status
- Arrested
- Court Status
- Expected to be transferred to Fulton County
- Case Status
- Active investigation
A Georgia woman entrusted with watching her friend's children has been arrested and charged with murder following the death of a 4-year-old child and the hospitalization of a 5-year-old child in Atlanta, according to local authorities.
The incident unfolded in Atlanta, Georgia, where law enforcement officers responded to an apartment for a welfare check on Monday evening. The investigation subsequently expanded across multiple jurisdictions as police tracked suspects and surviving children.
Incident Overview
According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responding to an apartment on Monday evening for a welfare check discovered 4-year-old Colby Cooks dead inside the residence. Investigators determined that the child had suffered fatal injuries while in the care of a babysitter. An autopsy conducted by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office concluded that Colby died of blunt force trauma, and his manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Prior to police arrival at the apartment, the primary suspect fled the scene with surviving children, including the victim's 5-year-old brother, Cayden Cooks. Authorities reported that Cayden was suffering from visible injuries and required hospitalization for severe head trauma and other trauma. Law enforcement agencies utilized license plate readers to track the suspect vehicle to Wilkes County, where officers intercepted the vehicle and took the suspect into custody.
Suspect Information
Jasmaine Smoak, 32, is identified as the primary suspect in the case. According to police statements, Smoak was responsible for watching the children while their mother was incarcerated. Following the discovery of the deceased child and the injured sibling, Smoak fled the apartment and was tracked to Wilkes County, where she was arrested. At the time of her apprehension, she faced initial charges including cruelty to children and concealing a death, which later expanded to include murder and aggravated assault.
A second suspect, 30-year-old Jasmine Jenkins, was also arrested in connection with the case and charged with murder and cruelty to children. Authorities have not publicly identified the specific relationship between Smoak and two other children who were found in her vehicle at the time of the arrest.
Victim Information
The primary victim is 4-year-old Colby Cooks, who was found dead inside the Atlanta apartment. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office determined his cause of death to be blunt force trauma. The second victim is identified as his 5-year-old brother, Cayden Cooks, who sustained severe head trauma and other visible injuries. Cayden was hospitalized following the incident, and reports from local affiliates indicated his father was at his bedside during his recovery.
Police Response
Officers with the Atlanta Police Department responded to an apartment on Monday evening to conduct a welfare check. Upon discovering the deceased child and realizing the suspect had fled with other minors, police initiated a multi-jurisdictional tracking operation. Utilizing license plate reader technology, law enforcement located the suspect vehicle in Wilkes County, leading to the safe recovery of the surviving children and the execution of the arrests.
Investigation
The investigation is being led by the Atlanta Police Department in coordination with other regional law enforcement agencies and the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. Investigators tracked the suspect across county lines using automated license plate reader networks. Autopsy results provided by the medical examiner established the official cause and manner of death, guiding the ongoing criminal proceedings.
Evidence Collected
- Vehicle tracked via license plate readers
- Autopsy findings from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office indicating blunt force trauma
- Medical documentation of visible injuries and severe head trauma sustained by the surviving 5-year-old child
Arrest Details
Jasmaine Smoak was taken into custody in Wilkes County after police tracked her vehicle using license plate readers. She was initially booked into the Wilkes County Jail on charges of cruelty to children and concealing a death. Authorities stated she is expected to be transferred to Fulton County to face additional charges. Jasmine Jenkins was subsequently arrested and charged by police in connection with the homicide.
Charges Filed
- Murder: A felony charge alleging the intentional or depraved killing of another human being.
- Aggravated Assault: A felony charge involving an assault committed with a deadly weapon or with intent to cause serious bodily injury.
- Cruelty to Children: A felony charge pertaining to the abuse, neglect, or infliction of excessive physical or mental pain upon a minor.
- Concealing a Death: A charge related to the failure to report a death or taking actions to hide a body.
Court Information
The case falls under the jurisdiction of Fulton County authorities, where Jasmaine Smoak is expected to be transferred following her arrest in Wilkes County. As of Thursday, her name did not appear on the Wilkes County inmate roster, and a specific court date had not yet been formally released by officials.
Statements from Authorities
Authorities released information regarding the welfare check, the autopsy results, and the subsequent arrests through official statements from the Atlanta Police Department and local media updates. News reports also incorporated information from community sources and local affiliate coverage regarding the condition of the surviving child.
Public Safety Information
Child abuse and neglect are critical public safety issues that require immediate reporting. Anyone who suspects a child is in danger or experiencing abuse should contact local law enforcement or emergency services immediately by dialing 911. National resources such as the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline are available for confidential support and reporting guidance.
What Happens Next
Following the arrest and anticipated transfer of the suspects to Fulton County, the legal process will proceed with formal arraignments where charges are officially read and bail is addressed. Prosecutors will present evidence to a grand jury for indictment, paving the way for pre-trial hearings and eventual trial proceedings in the state court system.
