Cobb parents accused of abandoning child in SC

Apr 8, 2013 - 05:23
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Cobb parents accused of abandoning child in SC
37-year-old Tongela McBride and 31-year-old Alonzo Brown

Police say a little girl abandoned this week on a doorstep in South Carolina is a 4-year-old from Marietta.
Both of her parents are now in jail.

Residents of the family's Cobb Parkway apartment complex who were shocked by these new developments.

"I've actually got a 2-year-old myself, so that's my heart," Billy Price told Swann. "I couldn't imagine."

Zoe BrownPolice say 37-year-old Tongela McBride and 31-year-old Alonzo Brown lived in the complex with their 4-year-old daughter Zoe Brown. The girl was first identified as little "Jane Doe" after she was found Tuesday night abandoned in her stroller on the doorstep of an Anderson, S.C., home. Police say someone rang the doorbell and ran.

"Wow. That's insane," said Price. "That's terrible. That's terrible."

Police say a tip led them to the child's parents. McBride is now in the Cobb County jail and Brown is in custody in South Carolina. Both are charged with unlawful neglect of a child.

"If you don't want to be a parent and you've just come to that conclusion, maybe you should just go to your local adoption agency and just do the right thing," Price said. "Not just drop your kid off in a different state. That's crazy. I can't imagine that."

Zoe remains in foster care in South Carolina. Her Marietta neighbors say they hope she'll be OK.

"If somebody else...a better parental environment can step in and take care of the little girl, it would at least give her a better shot for her future," said Price.

Both parents were denied bond. Police say McBride will be extradited to South Carolina in the coming days. Investigators are not elaborating on any potential motives at this time.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.