Murder Charge Filed In Toddler's Death Against GA Woman

OAKWOOD, GA — A 36-year-old Gainesville woman is facing murder charges in connection with the death of a 4-year-old child who was found dead in her car trunk, Georgia authorities said Wednesday night.

The young girl's remains were found on Oct. 26 in the trunk of Jessica Motes' Nissan sedan, media reports say, citing a previous arrest warrant.

Motes, who was already in jail on a charge of concealing death of another person, is additionally facing charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery and first-degree cruelty to children, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

"While the investigation is still active and ongoing, the evidence gathered during the joint investigation with Oakwood (Police Department) and Hall County Sheriff’s Office has led to the charges against Motes," authorities said in a news release.

RELATED: 'I Think She Is Dead': Child's Remains Found In Trunk Of Car, Reports Say

The day of her arrest, Motes was accused of driving into the parking lot of a store plaza and telling her father, “I think she is dead,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WXIA-TV reported.

Her father then drove her away from the parking lot before they encountered law enforcement, reports say. The remains were reportedly then found in Motes' car trunk.

Authorities have not revealed the child's cause of death or the relation between Motes and the child.

The GBI said Motes is jailed in the Hall County Detention Center.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.