The 6-month-old girl received medical care before child welfare officials took custody following her mother’s arrest at a Mableton auto shop.
MABLETON, Ga. — A 6-month-old girl was placed in the custody of Georgia child welfare officials after Cobb County police arrested her mother, who authorities say left the infant with workers at an auto service business and later returned carrying a knife.
Laraven Davis, 35, faces misdemeanor charges of child abandonment and reckless conduct stemming from the Oct. 24 incident at a Jiffy Lube in the 5500 block of Floyd Road. Police said employees contacted authorities after Davis allegedly handed the child over and walked away. The infant was later evaluated at a hospital before being placed with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.
According to arrest warrant information reported by WSB-TV, employees said Davis told them she might not return and that they should call police if she did not. Workers told investigators they felt they had to accept responsibility for the infant because they did not know what would happen to the child otherwise. The warrants said employees cared for the baby for at least 20 minutes.
Police said the infant was wearing soiled clothing and had multiple rashes when workers examined her. Reports based on the warrants described a wet diaper, diaper rash and a rash beneath the child’s chin. Cobb County police later said the baby nevertheless appeared to be in overall good health.
The encounter became more tense before officers arrived. Assistant manager Jarayya Mayes told FOX 5 Atlanta that Davis returned to the business carrying a knife and sought to take her daughter back. Mayes was still in contact with emergency dispatchers, who told employees not to let Davis leave with the infant while officers responded.
Officers arrested Davis when they arrived. No injuries to the employees were reported. Authorities charged her with child abandonment and reckless conduct, but the charges are allegations and do not constitute a finding of guilt.
The baby was transported to a hospital for medical attention. Cobb County police later told news organizations that the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services took custody of the child because no other family member was available to care for her. Authorities have not publicly disclosed where the infant was placed after entering state custody.
The case has produced differing snapshots of Davis’ custody status as it developed. WSB-TV reported earlier in the week that she had been granted a $4,000 bond. Later reports citing detention records said she remained in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. Publicly available reporting did not establish in those accounts whether she had since posted bond and been released.
Police have not disclosed why Davis allegedly left her daughter at the business, where she went after walking away or what happened before she returned. No motive has been established publicly, and investigators have not announced additional charges related to the knife described by the employee.
The immediate focus shifted from the business to the child’s care after Davis was taken into custody. The infant received a medical evaluation and entered state custody, while Davis’ misdemeanor case moved into the Cobb County court system. Authorities had not announced additional charges as of Thursday.
Author note: Last updated October 29, 2026.