UPDATE: Aug. 9, 2016
Alcovy Judicial Circuit Court District Attorney Layla Zon confirmed that charges against Justin and Jamie Whited, parents of baby Dinah Paige Whited, have been upgraded to felony murder. The baby died at 3:31 p.m. on Monday after being removed from life support. Her mother and father, who both remain in Walton County Detention Center,” were allowed to visit with the baby before she passed away.
“Warrants for felony murder with cruelty to children in the first degree as the underlying offense were signed by Judge (Mike) Burke,” Zon said.
According to the warrants, the parents are accused of maliciously causing the death of the victim (Dinah Whited) by “inflicting multiple injuries on said child, causing her cruel and excessive physical pain. The injuries include, but are not limited to, multiple fractures in various stages of healing of her ribs, clavicles and shoulder blades, as well as bleeding and swelling to her brain.” The warrants said the injuries were discovered on April 23, the day a 911 call was placed to report that the baby was having difficulty breathing. She was alone with her parents at the time she began exhibiting symptoms consistent with a traumatic brain injury. She was on life support from that time until she was removed on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, at which time she died as a result of her injures.”
Both parents have been charged with felony murder. In a press release from Monroe Police Department, Lt. Tracey Hanson said that now 5-month old Dinah Whited was removed from life support Monday, passing away a few hours later.
“On April 23, 2016 officers responded to the Whited residence in reference to the 2-month old baby being unresponsive. Dinah was transported to Egelston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, where she has remained for the past three months. Dinah’s father, Justin Whited was initially charged with aggravated battery and cruelty to children, and her mother, Jamie Whited was charged with cruelty to children,” Hanson said. “The brutal injuries that Dinah suffered over time, along with the lack of medical attention, ultimately lead to her death. Both Justin and Jamie Whited have been charged with felony murder; they remain incarcerated in the Walton County Jail.
The couple reportedly also have a son who is currently in the custody of DFACS.
UDATE: July 15, 2016: According to the AJC, brain activity was found Thursday and as a result baby Dinah Paige Whited remains on life support.
UPDATE: July 14, 2016. The grandmother of baby Dinah Paige Whited posted on her Facebook page in the early morning hours of July 14, 2016 that baby Dinah Paige has progressed to being considered legally brain dead.
“They will be doing one more test in the morning which at that time if anything does not change they will pronounce her deceased,” Paige Barrett wrote. “I love her with all my heart and will miss her every single day for the rest of my life. God has made his decision and she is going home. Please keep our family in your prayers.”
The AJC is reporting that the baby was removed from life support to see if she could breath on her own, which she didn’t. That test was due to be repeated this morning and the determination would then be made.
Baby Dinah Paige has been on life support since being transported to the hospital the weekend of April 24, 2016 with severe injuries. Her father, Justin Lee Whited, was arrested a day later and charged with aggravated battery and Cruelty to children and his wife, Jamie Cason Whited was arrested a week or so later and charged with child cruelty. Both remain in the Walton County Detention Center. Officials reported that the baby’s father had refused to allow the baby to be removed from life support and funds were being raised to mount a legal battle in order to do so.
The charges are likely to be upgraded to murder if baby Dinah Paige is not able to survive after being taken off life support.
UPDATE: May 1, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. According to jail records, the mother of the 2-month old infant who was hospitalized last weekend has now also been arrested and charged with child cruelty. Jail records report that Jamie Cason Whited was booked into the Walton County Detention Center Saturday morning. She has not yet had a bond hearing.
The AJC reports that, according to the warrant, the infant has internal and cranial bleeding as well as rib and clavicle fractures as a result of force trauma. The warrant also reportedly says the mother was aware of previous injuries and did not report them. The infant remains on life support at Egleston Hospital. DFACS is investigating.
UPDATE April 28, 2016 at 10 a.m.: According to last report by officials, this baby continues to fight for her life in the hospital.
UPDATE: According to jail records, a cash bond of $60,000 has been set for Justin Lee Whited, 23, who was arrested over the weekend at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston after his 2-month-old daughter was admitted the day before. Bond was set at $40,000 for Aggravated Battery and $20,000 for Cruelty to children. The infant was transported to Clearview Regional Medical Center after police were called to the home on reports of an unresponsive infant. The baby was airlifted to Egleston after staff at Clearview were able to find a pulse.
Initial Story
Monroe Police Department confirm they are working a case that resulted in the arrest of Justin Lee Whited, 23, of Mobley Circle, Monroe, at 1 a.m. on April 24, 2016 at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
Asst. Chief R.V. Watts confirmed that Whited, who is the father of a 2-month-0ld, has been charged with Aggravated Battery and Cruelty to children. He remains in Walton County Detention Center without bail.
According to the police report from MPD, police responded to a call at 8.54 a.m. on April 23, 2016 concerning an infant that was unresponsive. They arrived to find the 2-month-old infant unresponsive on the floor with CPR being performed. She was transported to Clearview Regional Medical Center and hospital staff advised that they had found a pulse and the child was subsequently airlifted to Egleston.
In the follow up investigation, it was reported that Whited had told police that the baby had woken up crying and his wife went to the kitchen to make a bottle. When she returned, she advised that the baby wasn’t breathing normally. “So they loaded her up.” His wife told police that when she returned to the bedroom and found he wasn’t breathing normally, she called 911. Police report that at the hospital the wife allegedly told the doctor that when they noticed the baby wasn’t breathing properly, they put her in the car and headed for the hospital. They then noticed she wasn’t breathing, so they went home and started CPR. The doctor allegedly reported that the baby had a fractured left collar bone. DFACS were then called in.
At the time of going to press it is believed that the baby remains in a critical condition at the hospital.
(Editor’s Note: A charge or arrest does not constitute a conviction)