Authorities confirmed the child was found dead in a pond last week, leading to Lewis’ arrest and subsequent booking at the Fulton County Jail.
Asia Calabrese-Lewis is charged with murder and child abuse in connection with the death of her one-year-old daughter, Nirvana Genesis Oliver.
Officials in Georgia have charged a mother with murder and child abuse after her one-year-old daughter was found dead in a pond last week.
Asia Calabrese-Lewis, 24, was taken into custody and booked into the Fulton County Jail, according to a May 12 press release from the Sandy Springs Police Department.
Officers were called to the Concourse shopping complex in Sandy Springs, a suburb of Atlanta, at about 6:40 p.m. on May 11 because Lewis was apparently having “some type of episode,” according to police.
According to the press release, the baby’s father arrived and inquired about the situation. Lewis reportedly continued by declaring “that the child died in the pool.”
Police said that after a lengthy search, 1-year-old Nirvana Oliver was finally discovered in the body of water. When the young woman arrived at Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, she was already dead.
According to police, officers were called to the company the day before for a social security check on Lewis and an unidentified juvenile and possible child abuse, according to reports from 11 Alive, 13WMAZ, and Fox 5 Atlanta.
However, no charges were laid because police said they did not believe a crime had been committed. Police then referred the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) as they escorted the mother and juvenile back to their residence and made contact with the child’s father, 11 Alive reports.
In a statement seen by 13WMAZ, DFCS said it is assisting law enforcement with the death investigation.
The statement said in part, “We opened a case and attempted a home visit on May 11.” We send our sincere condolences to Nirvana’s loved ones as this loss is very tragic.
The circumstances leading to Nirvana’s departure have not been clarified, but according to her grandfather, Kenneth Oliver, Lewis left his granddaughter with him Thursday night and returned alone, according to 11 Alive. When asked where the girl was during his detention, Lewis allegedly said, “F the baby,” prompting investigators to search for her, according to the website.
According to an arrest warrant for Lewis, obtained by Fox 5 Atlanta, he was seen on security footage entering a neighboring retention pond about 90 minutes before police fished Nirvana’s body from the water. The duo was apparently out of camera for several minutes before the mother was seen leaving naked.
The family has since set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with Nirvana’s funeral expenses, which would have been two years old on June 18.
The campaign was started by Nirvana’s father and states: “As we continue to support our brother/son in his time of bereavement, we are asking for donations to help fund her memorial as well as help him with funds to take some time off work, to mourn the loss of his little girl.”
According to 11 Alive, Kenneth Oliver’s granddaughter “lighted up every room she walked into.” Authorities have not yet released the exact cause of her death.
The investigation is still ongoing, according to authorities. It is not known if Lewis has filed a lawsuit or appointed an attorney to speak for her.
Authorities have not yet released the exact cause of Nirvana’s death, and the investigation is still ongoing. It remains unclear whether Lewis has filed a lawsuit or obtained legal representation to speak on her behalf.