A Gwinnett County mother charged in connection with the death of her young son has been released from jail after a judge granted her a $5,000 bond in a case that has drawn widespread attention across metro Atlanta.
Deja Coleman, 29, faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children following the death of her 16-month-old son, Daniel. Authorities allege the child was left inside a locked vehicle for hours while Coleman worked at Northside Hospital Gwinnett in Lawrenceville.
During a bond hearing on September 9, Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Tamela Adkins approved a $5,000 bond despite objections from prosecutors. Coleman had remained in custody since her July 29 arrest.
The bond comes with strict conditions. Coleman must remain on house arrest and wear an ankle monitor. She is permitted to leave for approved medical appointments, meetings with her attorneys and certain therapeutic programs. The judge also ruled that Coleman cannot drive her two surviving children, although she was not prohibited from having contact with them.
Investigators say Coleman dropped her two older children off at daycare before continuing to work with Daniel allegedly still inside the vehicle. The child was discovered hours later in the employee parking area. Emergency efforts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead.
Coleman’s defense has characterized the incident as a devastating accident, arguing that she did not intentionally leave her son inside the vehicle. Her attorneys also maintained during the bond proceedings that she was not a danger to the community or a serious flight risk.
Prosecutors opposed her release, raising concerns about potential witnesses and the safety of Coleman’s surviving children. Judge Adkins ultimately determined that release could be permitted under strict supervision.
The $5,000 bond does not resolve the criminal case. Coleman remains charged, and the allegations against her will continue through the court process as both sides prepare for the next stage of the prosecution.
