Kathleen man caused ‘cruel’ pain to baby, officials say. He could face life in prison
A Kathleen man will face life in prison if convicted of killing an infant, according to Bibb County court records from Tuesday.
Willie Northern Jr. was indicted in connection to the death of his girlfriend’s baby on January 4. He faces one count of felony murder, one count of murder in the second degree and one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, according to court records.
Northern “maliciously” caused the baby “cruel physical pain by causing head and brain injuries,” according to the indictment.
Northern was taking care of his girlfriend’s 6-month-old boy. After he fed, swaddled and put the baby down to sleep , he noticed the child was unresponsive and not breathing, according to a previous news release from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office .
He called 911 to report the baby’s condition. Deputies and paramedics arrived at the home, where they found the baby “suffering from severe injuries,” the deputies said. The baby was in critical condition.
The infant was flown to an Atlanta children’s hospital for further treatment. Medical staff then said the baby died, according to the news release.
Northern was questioned at the BCSO’s Investigations Headquarters, and he was later determined to be a suspect in the case.
Northern faces life in prison if convicted for felony murder , according to Georgia law. He faces between 10 and 30 years in prison if convicted for murder in the second degree .
Northern also faces between five and 20 years in prison if convicted of cruelty to children in the second degree, according to state law.
