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Written by: A. Smith
Published January 7, 2026 @ 11:28 AM ET
BIBB COUNTY, Ga. – A Bibb County man is now facing a murder charge after his girlfriend’s infant died from injuries suffered while in his care earlier this month, authorities said.
Deputies with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home on Fairmont Avenue in Macon around 8:26 p.m. on Jan. 4 after receiving a report of a newborn not breathing. Paramedics responded and transported the 6-month-old child to Atrium Health Navicent Children’s Hospital, where medical staff determined the infant had suffered severe injuries, investigators said.
Because of the seriousness of those injuries, the child was later airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta and remained in critical condition.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies made contact at the home with Willie George Northern Jr., 24, of Kathleen. Northern told investigators he had been caring for his girlfriend’s infant, feeding and swaddling the child before placing him down to rest. He said he later found the baby unresponsive and called 911.
As investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, Northern was identified as a suspect. He was taken into custody just before 2 a.m. on Jan. 5 and booked into the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center. At that time, he was charged with first-degree cruelty to children and tampering with evidence, authorities said.
On Jan. 6, investigators were notified that the infant had died from his injuries. Following the child’s death, a sheriff’s office investigator obtained an additional warrant charging Northern with murder.
Authorities have not released details about the specific injuries the infant suffered or what evidence led investigators to determine Northern was responsible. The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing, and Northern remains jailed as the case proceeds.