A Georgia mother has been arrested months after her 7-year-old son died when his head became stuck in a car window in Atlanta. Authorities say her alleged drug use and lack of supervision led to the tragedy.
The Atlanta Police Department confirmed that 32-year-old Kandice Grace of Milledgeville was taken into custody on September 29. She faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children. Jail records show she was first detained in Baldwin County before being booked into the Fulton County Jail.
The case centers on the April 6 death of Grace’s son, 7-year-old Mazi Simmons. He was found unresponsive inside a vehicle on the 300 block of Scott Street in southwest Atlanta. According to arrest warrants, Simmons was discovered in the back seat with his head trapped in a window. Two of his younger siblings were also inside the car but were not injured, local ABC affiliate WSB reported.
A witness told investigators that Grace had come to his home the night before and left the children in the car. The following morning, he said he found her passed out in the driver’s seat while Simmons’ head was hanging out of the window.
Police reported that Grace repeatedly lost consciousness during her attempts to hold her son at the scene. Investigators later obtained a warrant to test her blood and urine. On August 8, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation informed Atlanta police that toxicology results were positive for opioids and THC.
Authorities allege that Grace was high while driving with her children and then passed out, leaving them unsupervised. Investigators believe her negligence directly contributed to Simmons’ death, local NBC affiliate WXIA reported.
The warrant states, “Her lack of supervision allowed Simmons to remain trapped in the window, leading to his death.” The Fulton County Medical Examiner identified Simmons as the victim and determined the cause of death to be accidental strangulation.
Grace’s arrest has drawn significant attention both in Atlanta and in her hometown of Milledgeville. The charges she faces are severe, carrying the potential for lengthy prison time if she is convicted.
The case underscores the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating consequences of leaving children unattended. While two of Simmons’ siblings survived without physical harm, investigators stressed that the circumstances could have easily led to additional tragedies.
Grace is currently being held in Fulton County as she awaits her next court appearance. Authorities have not confirmed who has custody of her surviving children. The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare to pursue the case in court.