Lead Investigator in the case, former GBI Agent, facing Child Abuse charges

Monroe County, Georgia  –  Prosecutors are no longer seeking the death penalty in a deadly child abuse case because the lead investigator in the case is facing child molestation charges.

Amanda Hendrickson is the woman accused of killing her 5 year-old daughter Heaven Woods in May of 2014.  Lawyers argued more than 100 pre-trial motions this afternoon as Amanda Hendrickson sat quietly in court.

District Attorney Richard Milam says one reason they dropped the death penalty is because of the lead investigator in the case.  Milam says that’s former GBI agent Charles Woodall, is facing child molestation charges.  “(If we) call him in as a witness brings into the trial all of the things that he’s accused of doing.  So therefore, we’re going to try to avoid that as much as possible but when you’re asking a jury to make that consideration you really need to give them everything,” said Milam.

Milam says now they’re seeking life with or without parole in the case.

One of Hendrickson’s defense attorney’s Burt Baker says dropping the death penalty is appropriate in this case.  Baker says Hendrickson has an intellectual disability.  “Our client was given an IQ test, in the I believe it was the third grade, where she scored in the intellectually disabled or mentally retarded range,” said Baker.

Woods died in a Monroe County hospital with a broken arm and five broken ribs.  Hendrickson’s boyfriend, Roderick Buckner, pleaded guilty in June to first degree child cruelty in the case, he received a life sentence.  “Milam says Hendrickson’s trial is currently scheduled for September.