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Written by: A. Smith
Published April 1, 2025 @ 2:40 PM ET
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – A Norcross couple has been convicted and sentenced to prison for the 2019 death of a 10-month-old boy, according to the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office.
Jahlin Javante Corey and Dennisa Mary Vega, both 33, were found guilty of multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter and battery, in the death of Vega’s son, Amir Vega. A jury returned the verdict on Friday following testimony and evidence that showed the severe abuse the child suffered before his death.
On Sept. 2, 2019, just before 5 a.m., emergency responders arrived at the couple’s apartment along Beaver Ruin Road in Norcross, where they found Amir unresponsive and struggling to breathe. The infant, who was taking only six breaths per minute, had visible burns on his mouth and abrasions on his face. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
An autopsy later revealed Amir had suffered extensive internal injuries, including a skull fracture, broken ribs, lacerations to his tongue and mouth, bruising on his abdomen and arms, and a torn small intestine. The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner, Dr. Carol Terry, testified that the injuries were consistent with prolonged abuse and had occurred days before the child’s death.
Corey was sentenced to 50 years, with 15 to be served in prison. Vega received a 21-year sentence, also with 15 years to serve behind bars. Both have been prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 12, including their own.
In addition to involuntary manslaughter and battery charges, Vega was also convicted of second-degree cruelty to children. Corey was found guilty of two counts of aggravated battery and one count of battery.
“This 10-month-old infant, Amir Vega, died as a result of these defendants’ crimes,” said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. “He will never grow into an adult. This is the verdict the jury rendered after assessing the evidence in the case. We hope that this sends a message that children must be cared for and not abused in our community.”