The heartbreaking search for six-month-old Nnakai Pratt ended Tuesday evening when authorities confirmed his body was recovered near an apartment complex in Clayton County, Georgia. The news comes after 84 long hours of searching, shifting the case from a reported kidnapping into a suspected homicide.
On Sunday morning, Nnakai’s father, Antonio Pearce, told investigators he and his infant were victims of an armed robbery. He claimed assailants forced their way in, stole his belongings, and took the baby from his car seat before fleeing. But as detectives dug deeper, inconsistencies in Pearce’s statements, along with physical evidence that suggested foul play, quickly raised red flags.
Pearce, 38, was earlier arrested on unrelated charges—including marijuana possession, driving on a suspended license, and a child-restraint violation—which prompted more scrutiny of his story. Investigators have now officially named him the primary suspect in his son’s disappearance and death.
The discovery of Nnakai’s body followed fresh search efforts late Tuesday afternoon. At around 4 p.m., investigators returned to the Valley Hill Road apartment complex, combing through wooded areas and reviewing leads. By 6:30 p.m., they had secured the perimeter near a dumpster and adjacent woods with crime scene tape. A couple of hours later, around 7 p.m., authorities confirmed they had located the infant’s remains.
Nnakai was a twin, but his sibling was never missing and remains in the care of their mother, who officials say is not suspected in the case. The medical examiner is expected to conduct an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death; further charges against Pearce—and whether he will be charged for homicide—are still under review by prosecutors.
Neighbors recall days of tension and disbelief. Some say they never heard commotion or signs of an abduction, which made Pearce’s version of events more puzzling. One resident observed: “If somebody broke into your house and ran off with your baby, your neighbors would’ve heard you screaming.” As the case unfolded, searches spanned wooded lots, dumpsters, drainage systems, and neighborhoods—all monitored by K-9 units, cadaver dogs, and law enforcement teams.
In a somber statement, a police spokesperson said: “This is a devastating loss for everyone involved. Our detectives have worked tirelessly on this case … our thoughts are with Nnakai’s family during this unimaginable time.” Pearce is expected to make his first court appearance soon. The investigation remains active—and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.