FATHER CONVICTED IN DEATH OF 2-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER

Defendant Neglected to Seek Emergency Help for Fear of Arrest

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces a conviction by jury trial of Miguel Padilla of Atlanta. Jurors convicted Padilla, age 32, of Felony Murder and Cruelty to Children for the death of his two year old daughter, Artearia Love. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Little Arteria died September 23, 2005 while in the care of her father. The little girl’s mother left for work around five o’clock. Three hours later, the defendant came out on his porch and casually mentioned to a neighbor that the child was “holding her stomach” and had “blood in her diaper”. The neighbor urged Padilla to call 9-1-1 but he hesitated fearing he would be arrested on an outstanding warrant for parole violation. The neighbor finally convinced Padilla to go back inside and check on his daughter. He found her lying in a pool of vomit and her body was cold. According to testimony from the Medical Examiner, the little girl bled to death after suffering blunt force trauma to the abdomen. Medical experts likened the force of the blow to the impact of a car accident. Padilla was on parole for burglary at the time of the toddler’s death.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Henry Newkirk presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Lance Cross with assistance from ADA Ramona Toole and DA Investigator Felipe Brown. Detective D.B. Mathis from the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov