Man who fatally beat his infant son in a Georgia Buc-ee’s parking lot is sentenced

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. (TCN) -- A jury recently convicted a 43-year-old man of killing his infant son in an RV because the baby was crying.

The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office announced Nov. 26 that Christopher Palmer received a life sentence without the possibility of parole with an additional 10 years for malice murder, felony murder — first-degree cruelty to children, felony murder — aggravated assault, first-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by convicted felon in connection with the death of his 9-month-old son, Cody Palmer. He was sentenced the same day the jury found him guilty of the charges.

According to the Warner Robins Police Department, on the night of Jan. 30, 2022, officers responded to a Buc-ee’s parking lot on Russell Parkway to a report of an unresponsive child. One of the victim’s parents told officers the child was accidentally dropped while they were bathing him in their RV, but the jury determined Christopher Palmer "assaulted the infant for crying." The baby was airlifted to a hospital, and he died several days later.

Prosecutors said medical evidence "revealed a devastating pattern of abuse," including healing broken ribs, numerous leg fractures, and severe bruising throughout Cody Palmer’s body. A pediatric medical expert reportedly testified and said it was "one of the most clear cases [of child abuse] I’ve encountered in my career."

Medical experts also found a "bucket handle" fracture in the baby’s leg, which they say is a sign of abuse.

According to WMAZ-TV, the infant died of blunt force trauma to the head caused by Christopher Palmer. Investigators believe the defendant had hit his son multiple times.

Christopher Palmer and the baby’s mother, Shelly Rooks, reportedly lived a "nomadic lifestyle" and drove across the country in their RV. During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from witnesses, including law enforcement officials from Missouri who spoke about past domestic violence allegations against Palmer.

A former Buc-ee’s manager also reportedly testified and was one of the first responders when a co-worker performed CPR on Cody Palmer.

Rooks was initially charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to children, but a judge deemed her unfit to stand trial, WMAZ reports.

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