Georgia dad who left 22-month-old baby to die in hot car for seven hours freed on Father's Day

A man in Georgia who was charged with the murder of his 22-month-old son has been released from prison 10 years later, on father’s day.

Justin Ross Harris was freed on Father’s Day 2024 from the Macon State Prison, Georgia Department of Corrections. He was f ound guilty in 2016 after he left his 22-month-old son Cooper strapped in his car seat for seven hours while he worked at his office in Atlanta.

• Mississippi mom charged with 'forcibly drowning' two-year-old in vicious attack
• 'Monster' California mom 'sat on adopted son, 9, and beat him until he 'stopped making a sound'

Harris was charged on eight counts including malice murder. The case made national headlines as parents historically have not faced murder charges in such cases which are usually considered tragic accidents.

Harris, who is originally from Alabama, told prosecutors that he forgot to drop Cooper off at daycare that morning, instead driving straight to work and forgetting that his son was in the backseat. Temperatures that day reached the high 80s, and Cooper ultimately died from the overpowering heat.

In June 2022, the Georgia Supreme Court voted 6-3 to overturn his murder and child cruelty convictions, saying that the jury had been shown evidence that was "extremely and unfairly prejudicial."

The prosecutors used Harris’ extramarital affairs as evidence that Harris wanted his son dead. They portrayed this as his motive while Harris’ lawyers maintained that it was a tragic accident. Harris also had three sex crime convictions that involved a 16-year-old girl, which he served a full sentence for.

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here .

Cooper’s mother, Leanna Taylor, continues to protest that Harris did not intentionally kill their child, however she told the court that Harris "destroyed" her life. She filed for divorce in 2016.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .