COVINGTON, Ga. - Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney released the following statement following the conviction of Christopher Michael McNabb and Cortney Marie Bell in the murder of their 15-day-old daughter, Caliyah: 

"Today a Newton County Jury returned guilty verdicts on Christopher Michael McNabb for malice murder, felony murder, murder in the second degree, aggravated battery, cruelty to children in the first degree, cruelty to children in the second degree and concealing the death of another. After a sentencing hearing, Chief Judge John M. Ott sentenced McNabb to life without parole plus 10 years.

"Cortney Marie Bell was found guilty of murder in the second degree, cruelty to children in the second degree, and contributing to the dependency of a minor. Judge Ott sentenced Bell to 30 years to serve the first 15 years in confinement.

"Both of these sentences were in connection with the murder of the couple’s 15-day-old child Caliyah McNabb.

"District Attorney Layla Zon appreciates the jury’s service on this particularly emotionally disturbing case. The jury’s verdict, in this case, provided justice for Baby Caliyah, her family and for this community who grieves for her. This case illustrates how methamphetamine abuse breaks apart families, endangers lives and destroys communities. The murder of Baby Caliyah was appalling and detestable. The punishment, in this case, was the maximum sentence that McNabb could receive and it was justly deserved."