Crime
Cause of Death for 6-Month-Old Nnakai Pratt as Blunt Force Trauma After Discovered Inside Trash Bag
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Clayton County Police Department has confirmed that 6-month-old Nnakai Pratt died from blunt force trauma, and the infant’s body was found discarded inside a trash bag during a three-day search that ended in tragedy.
According to authorities, the child’s remains were discovered on Tuesday, October 14, in the backyard of a home off Green Valley Road.
The discovery came after an intense search that began when police were initially called to investigate a reported robbery and kidnapping on Sunday, October 12, at 100 Valley Hill Road in Riverdale.
When officers arrived, they met Antonio Pearce, the child’s father, who claimed that he had been robbed at gunpoint and that his infant son had been taken by the alleged assailants.
Pearce told investigators the incident occurred at what he described as a “stash house,” where he said he had three pounds of marijuana and over $6,000 in cash.
He also stated that Nnakai, his twin sister, and their mother, Necollete Pratt, were present at the time of the alleged abduction.
As the investigation progressed, detectives noted inconsistencies in Pearce’s account.
Police later confirmed that Pearce had fabricated key parts of his story. Following extensive interviews and searches, investigators discovered the infant’s body, confirming their worst fears.
During a press conference on Friday, October 17, police revealed that the infant had sustained fatal blunt force injuries before being placed in a trash bag and abandoned. Both parents were subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the child’s death.
Necollete Pratt was charged with obstructing an officer, making false statements, cruelty to children in the first degree, concealing a death, and party to the commission of a crime.
In court on Friday, the judge denied bond on the felony charges but granted $5,000 bond for the misdemeanor obstruction charge. Pratt is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on November 12 at 8:30 a.m.
Antonio Pearce, the father, faces an extensive list of charges, including malice murder, cruelty to children, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, concealing the death of another person, unlawful disposal of a human body, false statements, and false report of a crime.
Police said Pearce’s repeated lies and inconsistent statements during questioning led investigators to uncover the truth and ultimately locate the child’s body. In court, he was denied bond on the most serious felony charges, including murder and aggravated assault, but was granted a $10,000 bond for the misdemeanor count of filing a false report. Pearce is expected to appear in court for his preliminary hearing on November 10 at 8:30 a.m.
Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the death of baby Nnakai, calling it one of the most heartbreaking and disturbing cases the department has handled in recent years.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.