GUILTY GA - Newborn, found dead in cooler on side of road, Troup County, 6 Jan 2019 *Arrest*

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Update: Justice! Rest easy now sweet angel
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Teen arrested more than year after newborn’s body found in cooler off Georgia road
By: WSBTV.com News Staff
Updated: March 27, 2020 - 10:03 AM
TROUP COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies found a newborn’s body inside a watermelon cooler on Jan. 6, 2019 in Troup County. Over a year later, an arrest has finally been made in the case.
Troup County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Caroline Propes of Newnan for the baby’s death Thursday.
Investigators determined Propes to be the baby’s biological mother based on DNA lab results conducted in Oklahoma and Virginia.
We’re working to learn more about the latest developments in the case. Stay with Channel 2 Action News for updates.
Propes has been charged with 2nd degree murder.
“From the moment this case was opened, I and my team of investigators were determined to bring this case to a conclusion. I cannot thank them enough for their determination to close a case that touched many people and were it not for the work of DNA Solutions and Innovative Forensic DNA, LLC, this case may not have been solved. We greatly appreciate their assistance," Sheriff James Woodruff said.
Troup County sheriff’s deputies were called to Boy Scout Road off New Franklin Road about 3:20 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2019 after someone found the baby’s body in a cooler.
Witnesses told authorities that the cooler, a zippered bag on wheels with watermelon print, had been sitting there for up to a week.
The Troup County Sheriff’s Office reminds people of the Safe Place for Newborn Act, that allows for someone who can’t care for a newborn to leave the child with a staff member with minimal questions asked.
http://www.wsbtv.com/.../4AOTUCJZ3BFKDL.../%3foutputType=amp
 
I would like to know more about how the DNA trace solved this mystery -- what odds that a match would solve it. SMH. Guessing that the woman had to be already in the system, or someone was suspicious and made a phone call.

No winners here -- and now this young woman (cannot say "mother") will be in incarcerated for many years. A second loser in this preventable awfulness.

Fear, ignorance, mental defect, desperation, incest/rape --> shame, too many other children already, no money or no clinic nearby for an abortion, no one to help her with alternatives, someone else did it, pure panic, abject selfishness -- what was it that made this horrible result occur?
And how many couples would have jumped at the chance for a sweet newborn?
 
Last edited:
Well - finally found current info for this case. Now she has 2 difference case #s & both are actually the same thing.
For case #
20-WR-0040 - filed 5/11/20

Proceedings/Events:
Date Court Date Type Image
5/11/2020 ENTRY OF APPEARANCE - BRIAN A. HANSFORD View
5/11/2020 LEAVE OF ABSENCE View
5/11/2020 MOTION FOR BOND View

5/20/2020 View

7/10/2020 TRANSCRIPT View

11/12/2020 ORDER (DENYING BOND) View
21-R-0320 PROPES, CAROLINE RILEY MARKETTE BAKER OP 6/22/2021 9/8/2021

Charges:
Charge # Violation code Offense Offense Date Disposed On Disposition Method Disposition Stage Arrest Date Felony/Misdemeanor
1 16-5-1(D) MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE 12/31/2018 3/26/2020 F
2 16-5-70(C) CRUELTY TO CHILDREN IN THE SECOND DEGREE 12/31/2018 3/26/2020 F

Attorneys
Name Represents
KIRBY , MONIQUE F S

Proceedings/Events
Date Court Date Type Image
6/22/2021 ACCUSATION View

9/8/2021 09/08/2021 09:00AM ARR ARRAIGNMENT No Image



And new case #21-R-0320 - filed 6/22/21

21-R-0320 PROPES, CAROLINE RILEY MARKETTE BAKER OP 6/22/2021 9/8/2021

Charges:
Charge # Violation code Offense Offense Date Disposed On Disposition Method Disposition Stage Arrest Date Felony/Misdemeanor
1 16-5-1(D) MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE 12/31/2018 3/26/2020 F
2 16-5-70(C) CRUELTY TO CHILDREN IN THE SECOND DEGREE 12/31/2018 3/26/2020 F

Attorneys
Name Represents
KIRBY , MONIQUE F S

Proceedings/Events
Date Court Date Type Image
6/22/2021 ACCUSATION View

9/8/2021 09/08/2021 09:00AM ARR ARRAIGNMENT No Image


Link: https://www.troupcountyclerkofcourt.com/WebCaseSearch/mainpage.aspx
 
Wed., Sept. 8th:
*Arraignment Hearing (@ 9am ET) - GA – Newborn girl (Jan. 6, 2019, Troup County, found dead inside cooler on side of Boy Scout Road off New Franklin Road) - *Caroline Riley Propes (19/now 20) “mom” arrested (3/26/20) & charged (3/26/20 was only murder charge) & recharged (6/22/21) with 2nd degree murder & 2nd degree cruelty to children. Held without bond.
DNA Match thru genetic testing. The baby’s DNA was sent to DNA Solutions (Oklahoma City, OK) for forensic DNA analysis. When the analysis was complete, the results were then sent to Innovative Forensic DNA, LLC (Skippers, VA) for investigative genetic genealogy research. Propes confessed to the crime.
5/11/20 Update: Initial appearance appointed attorney Brian Hansford. Hansford filed Leave of Absence dates. Motion for reasonable bond. 5/20/20: Discovery packet filed. 6/8/20 Update: Motion for bond proceedings before Judge Nina Markette Baker. Defense wants mental evaluation. DA Edward Andrew Case says there will be additional charges - malice murder, felony murder, etc. Oppose bond. Case has not gone to Grand Jury because of COVID-19. Will have prosecutor attorney Monique Kirby. Working with defense to get resolution in the case. She has confessed to crime.
11/12/20 Update: Bond denied. Transferred to new case #21-R-0320. Next arraignment hearing on 9/8/21 @ 9am.
 
Never heard of a "non jury" hearing - so not sure "what" this is about.

so I googled it - and came up with:

Bench trials are similar to jury trials in that the prosecutor must present evidence that proves the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the crimes charged with. ... The evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and any legal issues are argued during the process.

So - guessing this is start of a bench trial.

Friday, October 29th:
*Non Jury Trial set to begin (@ 9am ET) - GA – Newborn girl (Jan. 6, 2019, Troup County, found dead inside cooler on side of Boy Scout Road off New Franklin Road) - *Caroline Riley Propes (19/now 20) “mom” arrested (3/26/20), charged (3/26/20 was only murder charge) & recharged (6/22/21) & arraigned (9/8/21) with 2nd degree murder & 2nd degree cruelty to children. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
DNA Match thru genetic testing. The baby’s DNA was sent to DNA Solutions (Oklahoma City, OK) for forensic DNA analysis. When the analysis was complete, the results were then sent to Innovative Forensic DNA, LLC (Skippers, VA) for investigative genetic genealogy research. Propes confessed to the crime.
Non Jury trial set to begin on 10/29/21.
Court info from 5/11/20 thru 5/20/20 reference post #26 here:
GA - Newborn, found dead in cooler on side of road, Troup County, 6 Jan 2019 *Arrest*
11/12/20 Update: Bond denied. Transferred to new case #21-R-0320. Next arraignment hearing on 9/8/21 @ 9am. 9/8/21 Update: Plead not guilty and demand for jury trial. Next non-jury hearing on 10/29/21.
 
These cases are the tough ones for me. I will never understand how someone especially their own mother could harm a baby or young child. Is it just me or are baby deaths getting worse. I've never had children. God had other plans for me.
 
Wednesday, December 8th:
*Non Jury Hearing (@ 9am ET) - GA – Newborn girl (Jan. 6, 2019, Troup County, found dead inside cooler on side of Boy Scout Road off New Franklin Road) - *Caroline Riley Propes (19/now 20) “mom” arrested (3/26/20), charged (3/26/20 was only murder charge) & recharged (6/22/21) & arraigned (9/8/21) with 2nd degree murder & 2nd degree cruelty to children. Plead not guilty. Recharged & arraigned (9/1/21) with 1 count of malice murder, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of aggravated assault & 2 counts of cruelty to children in the 1st degree. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
DNA Match thru genetic testing. The baby’s DNA was sent to DNA Solutions (Oklahoma City, OK) for forensic DNA analysis. When the analysis was complete, the results were then sent to Innovative Forensic DNA, LLC (Skippers, VA) for investigative genetic genealogy research. Propes confessed to the crime.
Court info from 5/11/20 thru 5/20/20 reference post #26 here:
GA - Newborn, found dead in cooler on side of road, Troup County, 6 Jan 2019 *Arrest*
11/12/20 Update: Bond denied. Transferred to new case #21-R-0320. Next arraignment hearing on 9/8/21 @ 9am. 9/8/21 Update: New case #21-R-0490. Plead not guilty & demands for jury trial. Next non-jury hearing on 10/29/21.
10/29/21 Update: Next non-jury hearing on 12/8/21.
 
Did not realize she was going to be sentenced.

12/8/21 Update: Case #21-R-0490: Propes pled nolo prosequi as this matter was transferred to case #21-R-320. Case #21-R-320: Plead guilty & Was sentenced to 30 years, with the first 23 years to be served in confinement & the remainder to be served in probation. See sentencing pdf file here:
Page not found

The pdf file for her plea change is blank - so I am "assuming" she plead guilty.
 
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