Duluth Man Found Guilty of Murdering 9-Week-Old Daughter, Sentenced to Life

A Gwinnett County jury has convicted Khaliq Woods, 29, of murder and related charges for the death of his 9-week-old daughter, Kamila Woods, in November 2019. He has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Woods was found guilty of two counts of felony murder, one count of aggravated battery, and one count of first-degree cruelty to children. The conviction followed a trial where evidence showed baby Kamila died from multiple rib fractures, a lacerated liver, and bleeding and swelling of the brain, injuries consistent with being violently squeezed and shaken.

According to the investigation, Woods brought Kamila to Northside Duluth Medical Center on the morning of November 30, 2019, where she was pronounced dead. The previous day, Kamila’s mother had left her in Woods’ care. Woods initially told police he had been playing with the infant, tossing her in the air, and that she became distressed after one such toss. However, a search of Woods’ phone revealed he had searched online multiple times in the early morning hours for “symptoms of broken ribs in children.”

Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson expressed her condolences to Kamila’s family, stating, “This is a tragedy that an infant’s life was taken. We pray that the outcome of this trial will help Kamila’s family heal.” The prosecution highlighted the inconsistencies in Woods’ statements and the medical evidence pointing to intentional harm. Jurors deliberated for 10 hours before reaching the guilty verdicts.