The parents of an 8-month-old girl in Georgia have been charged with the death of their daughter, who tragically suffocated after becoming wedged between a mattress and a couch cushion in a poorly maintained home. Miguel Badillo, 24, and Kiara Davis, 27, were arrested on November 13, 2024, and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree child cruelty in connection with the death of their daughter, Ellie. In addition to these charges, they also face a charge related to the possession of drug-related objects.
The incident occurred on September 27, 2024, when emergency responders were called to a residence in Columbus, Georgia, where they discovered Ellie’s lifeless body. According to investigators, the child was placed on an angled mattress on a love seat without any safety precautions to prevent her from rolling off. It was in this position that she became trapped between the mattress and the couch cushions, ultimately suffocating.
Authorities conducted a search of the home, revealing alarming conditions. They found the house covered in animal feces and insects, with multiple unconfined animals roaming freely inside. The rooms were littered with decaying food, and the overall environment was described as filthy. One officer testified that the conditions were appalling, with the house appearing to be in a state of neglect.
Davis was at home at the time of the incident, but she reportedly left the infant alone to go outside and talk to a friend. Badillo was not present in the home when Ellie died. Despite his absence, he was charged as well, as investigators believe he was aware of the unsafe conditions within the house and the sleeping arrangement that contributed to the child’s death. Both parents were reportedly aware of the dangers in their home, including the hazardous conditions in which their child was left to sleep.
Ellie’s death has been ruled as asphyxiation, caused by the child becoming trapped between the mattress and the couch cushions. Although the incident has been officially labeled as a tragedy, some people close to the family, such as the landlord, have expressed doubts about the parents’ intentions. Howard Turner, the landlord, described Davis and Badillo as caring parents and suggested that the infant’s death was an unfortunate accident. He expressed belief that they were not intentionally cruel to the child, though he acknowledged the tragic outcome.
In the weeks following the incident, the investigation continued, and on November 8, 2024, warrants were issued for the parents’ arrests. They were taken into custody on November 13 and remain in detention at the Muscogee County Jail without bond. The case was bound over to Muscogee County Superior Court after a hearing in which further details about the circumstances of Ellie’s death were presented. Investigators emphasized the dangerous conditions that led to the tragic outcome, and the charges against Davis and Badillo highlight the severity of the situation.
The case has drawn widespread attention, raising questions about parental responsibility and the consequences of neglect. The community continues to grapple with the loss of Ellie, and the legal proceedings will likely continue to unfold as the investigation progresses. The charges against the parents serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring a safe and healthy environment for children, particularly when it comes to sleeping arrangements and household conditions. As the case moves forward, the details of the parents’ actions will come under closer scrutiny in court, and the ultimate resolution will depend on the evidence and legal arguments presented.
