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Georgia couple charged with starving son to death on U.S. Army post
By Alex Jones at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 15, 2026
· 2 min read
A Georgia couple is facing charges for starving their son and pets, which led to the deaths of their child and one of their dogs.Emma Bradshaw, 22, and Ladarrion McCray, 23, were federally charged on Wednesday with felony murder by child abuse, cruelty to children, making false statements, animal...
Key takeaway Emma Bradshaw, 22, and Ladarrion McCray, 23, were federally charged on Wednesday with felony murder by child abuse, cruelty to children, making false statements, animal crushing, aggravated animal cruelty and two counts of animal cruelty.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The charges against Emma Bradshaw and Ladarrion McCray have significant implications for the community surrounding Fort Benning, where McCray is stationed. As a U.S. Army soldier, McCray's alleged actions may reflect on the military's support systems for families, particularly those with young children. The fact that the couple's son was starved to death over a two-week period raises questions about the adequacy of resources and interventions available to prevent such tragedies. Furthermore, the animal cruelty charges against the couple highlight the need for increased awareness and reporting of suspected abuse in both human and animal cases. The consequences of McCray's alleged conduct, including potential discharge proceedings, will be closely watched by the local community, which has a significant military presence. The case may also prompt a review of protocols for addressing child and animal welfare concerns within military families in the Atlanta area.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Georgia couple is facing charges for starving their son and pets, which led to the deaths of their child and one of their dogs.Emma Bradshaw, 22, and Ladarrion McCray, 23, were federally charged on Wednesday with felony murder by child abuse, cruelty to children, making false statements, animal...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Jones at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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