Four-year-old dies of starvation in ‘house of horrors'

Perth Now

20-06-2025

WARNING: DISTURBING DETAILS
A Georgia man has been found guilty of starving his four-year-old daughter to death in what prosecutors described as a 'house of horrors'.
Rodney McWeay, 32, was convicted on June 19 of murdering his daughter, Treasure McWeay, just days before Christmas in 2023 in a case of sickening child abuse and neglect.
A jury found him guilty of 14 felony charges, including malice murder, felony murder, child cruelty, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and contributing to the dependency of a minor.
The case revealed a grim timeline of abuse.
McWeay's three children had previously been removed from his custody in June 2023 due to unsafe living conditions, including mould and unsanitary environments, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
Prosecutors said he later abducted the children from their mother and confined them in his apartment in Atlanta, described in court as a 'house of horrors.'
Investigators testified that the children were kept locked in separate rooms with no food or water. Surveillance cameras monitored their movements, and they were not allowed to leave their rooms, even to use the bathroom, per CBS affiliate WRDW.
Neighbours had raised concerns. Quasheea Cokley, who lived nearby, reported hearing frequent screams and crying from the apartment and contacted Georgia's Division of Family & Children Services.
Despite multiple attempts, state and law enforcement agencies were unable to make contact before Treasure's death.
Police discovered the young girl unresponsive in McWeay's apartment in the days leading up to Christmas.
She and her two brothers were transported to the hospital, where Treasure was later pronounced dead.
A medical examiner determined she died of cardiac arrest caused by prolonged malnutrition. At just 24 pounds, her weight was well below the healthy range for a child her age.
During the trial, McWeay's defence acknowledged he had made 'some wrong decisions' regarding the children's mother but claimed he never intended harm.
McWeay had previously rejected a plea deal of 75 years.
He now faces the possibility of multiple life sentences when sentenced in the next 30 days.
Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.