Cobb Father Charged with Felony Murder in Son’s Death

Justin Harris had his first appearance on Thursday afternoon several hours after being charged in the murder of his son, 22-month-old Cooper.

Instructed by a Cobb County magistrate judge that he was not eligible for bond due to the seriousness of the charges against him, the 33-year-old native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., native will remain in the Cobb jail until his next court appearance, set for July 15.

Cobb police continue to investigate the toddler’s death. Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to call 770-499-3945.

Police have also charged Justin Ross Harris with cruelty to children in the first degree. Harris, 33, remained in the Cobb County jail on Thursday morning without bond following his Wednesday arrest in a Cumberland-area shopping center parking lot.

See Also: Child Heatstroke Death From Inside SUV Renews Warnings

The boy, who has not been identified, was reportedly left accidentally in a carseat in the backseat of a four-door SUV during a day when temperatures reached the low 90s.

He remained in the vehicle for more than seven hours until he was discovered by a distraught Harris, who told authorities he forgot to drop the boy off at daycare earlier that morning before going to work.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, temperatures inside a closed vehicle can rise by an average of 19 degrees within 10 minutes.