A memorial grew near the Cardinal Drive townhome as police investigated Colby Cooks’ death and the injuries of another child.
ATLANTA — Flowers, balloons and teddy bears appeared outside a southwest Atlanta townhome Tuesday as neighbors mourned 4-year-old Colby Cooks and investigators worked to answer key questions about how the boy died.
Police found Colby unresponsive inside a residence in the Aviary Park townhome community Monday night after officers and firefighters responded to a welfare check. Hours later, authorities arrested 32-year-old Jasmaine Smoak in Wilkes County. She faces charges of second-degree cruelty to children and concealing the death of another, but police have not said she caused the boy’s death.
Residents of the gated community described a sudden and unsettling police response around 7:20 p.m. Officers forced their way into the townhome based on information received during the welfare check, authorities said. Emergency personnel attempted lifesaving measures after finding Colby, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
By the following day, neighbors had begun leaving items near the home in memory of the child. Some residents said they had previously seen children playing around the community. Neighbor Amber Burks told local reporters the death was difficult to process, saying, “It’s heartbreaking because it’s a child.”
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the boy as Colby Cooks, but officials have not publicly released his cause or manner of death. Authorities also have not said what prompted the welfare check, where inside the residence Colby was found or how long he had been there before police entered.
Investigators said Smoak left the residence with three children before officers arrived. One of those children had visible injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police have not disclosed the nature of the injuries or explained how they happened, and little information has been released about the other two children.
Atlanta homicide detectives used license plate reader technology to track Smoak’s vehicle to Washington, Georgia, more than 100 miles east of Atlanta. Wilkes County sheriff’s deputies assisted with the search and took her into custody. Police said Smoak is a friend of Colby’s mother and is not related to the boy.
The arrest answered one immediate question in the investigation but left several others unresolved. Police have not publicly said where Colby’s mother was when officers were called, what investigators believe happened before Smoak left the residence or whether the allegations underlying the child cruelty charge relate to Colby, another child or both.
Authorities have also stopped short of announcing a homicide charge. Smoak’s current charges remain allegations, and determining how Colby died will be central to the continuing investigation. The medical examiner’s findings could help establish whether additional criminal charges are warranted, but officials have announced no such decision.
Smoak remained in custody in Wilkes County in the latest available reporting while awaiting extradition. Atlanta police homicide investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding Colby’s death and the injured child as the community memorial outside the townhome marked the loss.
Author note: Last updated October 28, 2026.