Babysitter Charged in 3-Year-Old's Shooting Death

71-year-old woman booked into jail, second suspect still at large

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:22am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the tragic aftermath of a shooting incident.A single spent bullet casing serves as a somber reminder of the devastating toll of gun violence, even in the most vulnerable settings.Atlanta Today

A 71-year-old woman has been charged with murder, cruelty to children, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with the shooting death of a 3-year-old boy at her home in southwest Atlanta on Easter Sunday. The second suspect, a 35-year-old man, has not yet been booked into jail.

Why it matters

This tragic incident has shaken the local community and raised concerns about gun violence and child safety, particularly in the context of childcare arrangements. The case also highlights the challenges of holding adults accountable when children are harmed under their supervision.

The details

According to police, 3-year-old Armani Lyons was shot and killed at the home of his 71-year-old babysitter, Barbara Edwards, in southwest Atlanta on Easter Sunday. Edwards has been charged with murder, cruelty to children, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A second suspect, 35-year-old Jermaine Hardeman, also has an outstanding arrest warrant but has not yet been taken into custody.

  • The shooting occurred on Easter Sunday.
  • Edwards was booked into the Fulton County Jail on Tuesday.

The players

Barbara Edwards

A 71-year-old woman charged with murder, cruelty to children, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with the shooting death of a 3-year-old boy in her care.

Jermaine Hardeman

A 35-year-old man who has an outstanding arrest warrant related to the shooting, but has not yet been taken into custody.

Armani Lyons

A 3-year-old boy who was shot and killed at the home of his babysitter, Barbara Edwards, in southwest Atlanta on Easter Sunday.

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What’s next

Police are continuing to search for the second suspect, Jermaine Hardeman, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of thorough background checks and proper vetting of childcare providers, as well as the need for greater gun safety measures to protect vulnerable children from harm.