An Atlanta father has been found guilty of murdering his young daughter through prolonged starvation, in a case that prosecutors described as one of the most horrific examples of child abuse in recent memory.
On June 19, 32-year-old Rodney McWeay was convicted on 14 felony charges, including malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and cruelty to children, after the tragic death of his 4-year-old daughter, Treasure McWeay, just days before Christmas 2023. The verdict, delivered by a Georgia jury, brings to light a chilling pattern of abuse and neglect that prosecutors said occurred in what they called a “house of horrors.”
According to Fox 5 Atlanta and CBS affiliate WRDW, McWeay’s children had previously been removed from his custody by Georgia’s Division of Family & Children Services (DCFS) in June 2023 due to filthy, mold-infested living conditions. But later that year, he allegedly kidnapped them back from their mother and imprisoned them in his apartment.
Authorities said that once under his control again, the children were locked in separate rooms, denied food and water, and constantly surveilled by cameras. They weren’t even allowed out to use the bathroom.
Treasure’s suffering ended in the most tragic way. Days before Christmas, police found her unresponsive inside McWeay’s apartment. She was rushed to a hospital along with her two young brothers, but it was too late. The 4-year-old was pronounced dead soon after.
Medical examiner Dr. Keely Iannelli testified that Treasure died from cardiac arrest caused by severe, long-term malnutrition. At the time of her death, she weighed only 24 pounds, significantly underweight for her age.
Neighbors, including one named Quasheea Cokley, had previously raised concerns after repeatedly hearing crying and screaming from the apartment. Despite contacting DCFS and multiple attempts by law enforcement to conduct welfare checks, no agency managed to intervene in time.
Throughout the trial, McWeay’s defense admitted that he had made “wrong decisions” regarding custody issues, but claimed he never meant to harm his children. The jury did not accept that argument.
McWeay’s charges include:
1 count of malice murder
1 count of felony murder
3 counts of cruelty to children in the first degree
3 counts of false imprisonment
3 counts of contributing to the dependency of a minor
3 counts of kidnapping
Sentencing is scheduled to take place within the next 30 days. Prosecutors noted that McWeay had previously rejected a 75-year plea deal, and he now faces the possibility of multiple life sentences.