Unconscious 9-month-old found outside Georgia RV park; nomadic parents arrested

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. (TCD) -- Two nomadic parents were arrested after their 9-month-old child was reportedly found unresponsive outside an RV park and later died.

According to the Warner Robins Police Department, on Jan. 30 at approximately 9:53 p.m., officers responded to the Buc-ee’s convenience store at 7001 Russell Parkway to a report of an unresponsive child. Upon their arrival, police say they found the unconscious 9-month-old, and one of the parents told officers the child was dropped while they were bathing him inside their parked RV. According to police, the child was eventually airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for treatment.

According to the Macon Telegraph, the parents were driving through Georgia in their RV with the victim and his two siblings when they parked at the Buc-ee’s.

Upon further investigation, police say, "Injuries found upon the child, past and present, were consistent with abuse." According to police, on Feb. 4, the child succumbed to his injuries.

The mother, 26-year-old Shelly Rooks, was reportedly arrested and charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to children. Police say the father, 40-year-old Christopher Palmer, was arrested and charged with felony murder, aggravated battery, and cruelty to children. The parents remain held in the Peach County Detention Center.

Warner Robins Police Chief John Wagner told the Macon Telegraph that the two siblings were taken into custody by child-protective services. When asked about where the parents were driving to, Wagner told the Macon Telegraph, "I think they’re pretty nomadic. ... I think they just drive."

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