JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ga. () – A woman from Jefferson County has been charged with murder following the tragic death of her 8-month-old baby.

21-year-old Dakota Taylor, who resides in Wrens, was taken into custody on November 20. She faces charges that include Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and First-Degree Cruelty to Children. At the time of her arrest, Taylor was already detained at McDuffie County Jail due to her involvement in another child death investigation in DeKalb County.

The investigation into the infant’s death commenced on January 8, 2025, led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in collaboration with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

According to authorities, the infant was discovered unresponsive at a residence on the 2100 block of Mt. Moriah Road in Matthews, Georgia. The child was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

The GBI has confirmed that the investigation is still in progress, and the official cause of death has yet to be disclosed.

Anyone with information regarding the case in encouraged to call the GBI’s office in Thomson at 706-595-2575.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted via 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at  or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app.