local
Hall County woman facing death penalty in child’s murder pleads not guilty
By Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 8, 2026
· 2 min read
Editor’s note: The video above is from previous coverage. ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Hall County woman accused of killing a 4-year-old girl last October pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday. Jessica Motes faces several charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated bat...
Key takeaway (Atlanta News First) — A Hall County woman accused of killing a 4-year-old girl last October pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The arraignment of Jessica Motes brings a significant case to the forefront in the Atlanta area, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty for the alleged murder of 4-year-old Autumn Fox. As the case unfolds, the community will be watching closely to see how the justice system handles such a severe crime, particularly given the heinous nature of the allegations, including blunt force trauma and exposure to multiple substances. The fact that the child's body was found in a public place, a Sam's Club in Oakwood, adds to the shock and outrage felt by local residents. With Motes set to enter her plea, the focus will now shift to the trial and the potential implications of a death penalty conviction, which would be a rare outcome in Georgia. The relationship between Motes and Fox, which authorities have not disclosed, will likely be a key aspect of the trial, and one that the community will be eager to learn more about as the case progresses.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - 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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Editor’s note: The video above is from previous coverage. ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Hall County woman accused of killing a 4-year-old girl last October pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday. Jessica Motes faces several charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated bat...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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