Second woman arrested in death of Atlanta 4-year-old

Atlanta police said their fugitive unit and the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jenkins in Wilkes County on October 29. The warrants list accusations of murder and first-degree child cruelty. She is being held at the Wilkes County Jail while awaiting extradition to Atlanta.

Cooks was found dead inside a southwest Atlanta townhome after officers responded to a welfare check. The Fulton County Medical Examiner determined that the 4-year-old died from blunt force injuries and classified his death as a homicide.

Smoak was arrested earlier in connection with the case. Police said she is not related to Cooks. Her counts were upgraded after the autopsy results to include murder, aggravated assault and first-degree child cruelty, alongside earlier allegations involving second-degree child cruelty and hiding a death.

Authorities have not disclosed Jenkins’ relationship to Cooks or Smoak. Both women remain in custody in Wilkes County as they await transfer to Atlanta.