Father Of Slain GA Infant Charged With Murder After Court Appearance

CLAYTON COUNTY, GA — The father of 6-month-old Nnakai Pratt, whose body was found Tuesday night after a three-day multi-county search, has officially been charged with murder following the infant's death, according to updated jail records.

Antonio Pearce appeared before a judge on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after authorities located the infant, WSB-TV previously reported. Pearce was arrested Sunday on unrelated charges, police said, including driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana.

During the court hearing, Pearce was denied bond for making false statements to police, according to a report. The judge also cited Pearce’s recent and out-of-state criminal history, as well as the facts surrounding the case.

Updated Clayton County Jail records show Pearce now faces a murder charge as well as counts of first-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, tampering with evidence, concealing a death and false representation.

• RELATED: Missing Infant's Body Found, Dad Deemed Suspect In Disappearance: Report

Nnakai was reported missing around 8:30 a.m. Sunday from the 100 block of Valley Hill, police said.

According to authorities, Pearce told Clayton County police he had been robbed at gunpoint and that the robbers had taken his son from a car seat. Pearce also told officers the robbers fled in an unknown direction, police said.

Investigators later said they found inconsistencies in Pearce's testimony, as well as physical signs of foul play.

"At this moment, the facts surrounding the disappearance of baby Nnakai Pratt are highly questionable, and CCPD detectives have deemed Nnakai's father to be a suspect in his sudden disappearance," police said in a news release.

The boy's twin sibling remained with their mother, who investigators believe is not connected to the case, FOX Atlanta reported.

On Sunday, the hours-long search for Nnakai included Georgia Piedmont Region's cadaver dogs and Fayette County Sheriff's Office's bloodhounds. The next day, police said they expanded the search area and used more cadaver dogs from Spalding County's Land Air Water Search team.

Authorities have not released the cause of death for Nnakai or where they located his body.

Authorities asked anyone with information on the case to call police at 770-477-3747. The GBI said anyone with information can also call the anonymous tip line at 800-597-8477, or download the See Something, Send Something mobile app.