Mickeya Montgomery was 21 when she was shot and killed on June 15, 2022, in a wooded area behind a daycare on Snapfinger Park Drive in Decatur, Georgia. She had gone to the Education Elevation Children Academy to pick up her 16-month-old daughter when the child’s father, Taco Nash, unexpectedly arrived despite a court order prohibiting contact. Staff tried to pull Montgomery and the child back inside while calling 911; Nash forced his way in, chased Montgomery, threatened her with a gun, and forced mother and child out a back door, over a fence, and into the woods.

Witnesses in the woods heard screaming and then a single gunshot. Police found Montgomery with a single gunshot wound to the head and a firearm under her hand; the girl was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The DeKalb County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. A family member reported Nash had called and confessed before emerging from the woods holding the bleeding child.

Nash was arrested and charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and cruelty to children. His defense later argued Montgomery took her own life, but at trial a jury found Nash guilty on all 13 counts and he received three life sentences without parole plus 60 years; a permanent protective order was issued for Montgomery’s family.