Pregnant Georgia Mother Arrested for Alleged Murder of 1-Year-Old Son
(Image: Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office)
A pregnant Georgia woman, Gloria Wright, is facing charges of first-degree murder and child cruelty after allegedly killing her one-year-old son and fleeing to New York. A multi-day manhunt ended with her capture by U.S. Marshals in Rochester, police confirmed over the weekend.
“We have a small child that has lost its life in the hands of its mother, and we would like to get this mother in custody because she is currently carrying another child right now,” said Rockdale County Sheriff’s investigator Grote Levett in a statement to WSB, a local ABC affiliate, prior to Wright’s arrest.
The tragic incident occurred on January 8, 2025. According to police, Wright called authorities that day to report a person was not breathing. When officers arrived, they found the individual was her one-year-old son. Emergency Medical Services attempted to resuscitate the child, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
An autopsy revealed the child suffered acute skull fractures caused by blunt force trauma. Wright’s arrest warrant noted that a medical examiner concluded the injuries were not consistent with an accidental fall or drop. Following the child’s death, Wright fled Georgia and was tracked to New York, per WSB-TV.
On January 15, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release stating, “Upon arrival, officers discovered the individual was a 1-year-old child. Despite Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attempts to resuscitate the child, the child was later pronounced dead at the hospital.”
Police described Wright as a fugitive and urged the public to assist in locating her. A $5,000 reward was announced for information leading to her capture. Wright, who had previously lived in Henry and Newton Counties in Georgia, was also noted to have a distinctive tattoo on the side of her face.
On Saturday, the sheriff’s office confirmed Wright’s arrest in a statement: “The fugitive Gloria Wright has been located and taken into custody. The arrest was made possible with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals. We sincerely appreciate the public’s ongoing support and assistance throughout this investigation.”
Officials stressed the urgency of Wright’s capture not only for justice but also to protect her unborn child. “We would like to get her in custody for her safety and for the safety of that child,” Levett reiterated. Details about Wright’s activities in New York and the specific circumstances of the toddler’s death remain under investigation.
