In Georgia, the tragic discovery of a 6-month-old baby followed a perplexing series of events this week. Initially reported missing by his father, who alleged the child had been kidnapped during a robbery, the infant was found dead near the father’s apartment complex on Tuesday night. Authorities had already expressed skepticism about the father’s kidnapping narrative, describing it as “highly questionable.”

“The child was located very close to the area under investigation,” shared Clayton County Medical Examiner Brian Byars with Law&Crime on Wednesday morning. “Our team plans to conduct an autopsy later this week to ascertain the cause of death.”

Antonio Pearce, residing in Riverdale, reportedly contacted law enforcement early Sunday morning, around 8:18 a.m., asserting that his son, Nnakai Pratt, was abducted amid an armed robbery. He claimed the child, seated in a car seat carrier, was taken by several individuals who then escaped “in an unknown direction,” according to a press release from the Clayton County Police Department.

As the case progressed, investigators grew increasingly doubtful of Pearce’s account. The Clayton County Police Department indicated inconsistencies in his statements and physical evidence suggesting foul play might be involved, as stated on Monday.

Pearce’s story allegedly unraveled while he was being questioned by investigators. He was taken into custody for unrelated charges, including marijuana distribution and a child restraint violation, and was still behind bars Wednesday without bond.

“At this moment, the facts surrounding the disappearance of baby Nnakai Pratt are highly questionable, and CCPD Detectives have deemed Nnakai Pratt’s father to be a suspect in his sudden disappearance,” the CCPD release says.

Searches were conducted at Pearce’s apartment complex and in nearby wooded areas, with Byars telling Law&Crime that a cop found Nnakai.

“One of the county police officers was canvassing the area with other investigators and they discovered the baby,” Byars said.

Multiple search warrants were served at locations that CCPD detectives believed were “relevant to this case,” including Pearce’s apartment and areas nearby. Media reports came out after Nnakai was found claiming his body was located in a dumpster, but Byars told Law&Crime that was untrue.

“He was in the vicinity of where they were searching but not in a dumpster,” Byars said.

Nnakai reportedly has a twin sibling who is safe and with their mother. A car near Pearce’s home was taken away by police and being probed by investigators.

“This is a nightmare,” neighbor Meshia Sikes told local CW affiliate WANF. “Makes you want to hold your kids tighter at night.”