Man Arrested After Toddler’s Body Found in Georgia Woods; Charged With Concealing Death

A 23-year-old man has been arrested after police say the body of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son was discovered in woods behind an apartment complex in Marietta, Georgia.

Arrest and Charges

Authorities identified the suspect as Dairon Keith of Kennesaw. Inmate records reviewed by local media show Keith faces two felony counts: concealing the death of another person and making false statements. He was taken into custody on Aug. 8 and is being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

Missing Child and Recovery

Police said the toddler, identified as Messiah Harris, was reported missing on Aug. 7. A person supervising the child told officers the boy was last seen at about 1:30 p.m. at an apartment complex on 8 Ridge Run in Marietta. By 8:50 p.m. that same day, the Marietta Police Department updated the public that Messiah's body had been located.

Messiah HarrisCredit: Marietta, Georgia Police Department/Facebook

"Tragically we can now confirm Messiah's body was located," the Marietta Police Department said, noting detectives were on scene collecting evidence.

Allegations and Ongoing Investigation

According to the police, Messiah's remains "had been in the woods a considerable amount of time." Investigators allege that Keith provided false information to Cobb County 911 dispatchers and to officers who responded to the missing-person report. Police say that, based on their investigation, Keith is accused of placing Messiah's body in the woods behind the apartment complex and loosely covering it with dirt and vegetation.

The Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office and the Marietta Police Department are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. Officials cautioned that additional charges may be filed as the inquiry proceeds. It has not been publicly confirmed whether Messiah was in Keith's care when he went missing.

How To Help

Authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward. If you suspect child abuse or need to report a concern, you can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. Calls are toll-free and confidential; the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.