Dalton Couple Arrested in Death of 22-Month-Old Son

DALTON, Ga. — The Dalton Police Department arrested 26-year-old Kirsten Schmitt and 30-year-old Anthony Pedigo on Monday, September 22, 2025, charging them with second-degree murder and cruelty to children in the second degree in connection with the death of their 22-month-old son, Grayson Pedigo.

Grayson died on June 5, 2025, while left unattended and buckled into a car seat inside the family’s apartment at 2822 Gregory Place. Police were called to the apartment at approximately 4:00 p.m. that day after Schmitt and Pedigo reported finding their son unresponsive. The child was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators learned that Schmitt and Pedigo would routinely seat their son in a car seat on the living room floor while they watched television. On the day of the incident, both parents were in a bedroom for approximately 30 to 40 minutes when they claim to have discovered Grayson unresponsive. Authorities noted that the child’s injuries were consistent with being restrained by the seat belt and buckle around his neck.

Following a lengthy investigation, police obtained warrants for the couple’s arrest in coordination with the district attorney’s office. Both Schmitt and Pedigo were taken into custody Monday morning without incident.