Parents charged with murder after 6-week-old baby found unresponsive under Boppy pillow

Written by: A. Smith

Published March 26, 2025 @ 2:25 PM ET

MUSCOGEE COUNTY, Ga. – The parents of a 6-week-old infant are facing murder charges after their son was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a hospital, police said.

On March 2, just before 1 p.m., Columbus police responded to a home after receiving reports of an infant who was not breathing. The child was transported to a local hospital, where medical staff determined resuscitation efforts were futile as the infant had already reached rigor mortis.

Authorities later identified the parents as Ariel Simmons, 31, and Ryan McMilleon, 27. During the initial response, both were arrested on unrelated charges—McMilleon for possession of methamphetamine and an outstanding warrant for contempt of court, and Simmons for truancy.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives uncovered evidence leading to additional charges. On March 17, arrest warrants were issued for Simmons and McMilleon, charging them with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children. They were taken into custody the next day and remain held at the Muscogee County Jail.

Investigators said the infant had been co-sleeping with the parents and was found wrapped in a sweatshirt alongside a pill bottle containing methamphetamine with Simmons’ name on it. The baby reportedly had significant bruising and signs of lividity, indicating prolonged pressure on certain areas of the body after death.

Court records state that McMilleon told investigators he woke up to find a blanket over the baby’s head. When he removed the blanket, he found the infant lying on a Boppy pillow, a nursing cushion, with part of it around the baby’s head.

The Columbus Police Department’s Special Victims Unit continues to investigate the case. Authorities have not released the child’s name.

Both parents appeared in Recorder’s Court following their arrests. Simmons’ defense attorney described the incident as a tragic accident, citing the bruising as consistent with co-sleeping.

Investigations remain ongoing.