Cobb County police investigate an SUV where a toddler died on June 18, 2014, near Marietta, Ga., when the father forgot to drop his child off at day care and went to work.
Justin Ross HarrisMARIETTA, Ga. – The investigation of a toddler’s death in a hot SUV in Georgia hinges on a key question: Was the boy the victim of a horrific accident after his father simply forgot to take him to day care, or did the man know the child was inside when he left him strapped in for seven hours?
A newly filed arrest warrant supporting the murder charge against 33-year-old Justin Ross Harris states that he stopped with his son for breakfast and also returned to put something inside his vehicle around lunchtime while the child was inside it.
Harris has told police he was supposed to drive his 22-month-old son to daycare but drove straight to work on June 18 without remembering the boy was strapped in his seat. After spending the day at work, he pulled into a shopping center parking lot on the ride home and hysterically asked for help for his son.
Harris was being held without bond Wednesday. Jail records didn’t list an attorney for him.
Cobb County Police Chief John Houser said Wednesday that he understands tragic accidents happen, but evidence indicates a “more serious crime” has been committed. He didn’t elaborate on what the evidence was.