Elbert County Woman Arrested After Investigators Find Buried Infant Remains

ELBERT COUNTY, Ga. – An Elbert County woman has been arrested after investigators discovered the remains of what authorities said was a near full-term infant buried in a wooden box on property along Jones Ferry Road.

According to the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, investigators received information Sept. 29 that an infant had been buried on the property several months earlier.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the property and began searching the area with assistance from agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Authorities used witness statements, a cadaver-detection K9, a drone and ground-probing equipment during the search. Investigators eventually identified a possible burial site and began excavating the area.

During the excavation, investigators located a wooden box buried several feet underground. The box contained human remains consistent with those of a near full-term infant, according to the sheriff’s office.

The remains were sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

Investigators said they learned during the investigation that the infant was reportedly stillborn. Authorities said the infant was wrapped in a towel and placed in a closet inside the home for several days before being buried in a wooden box that had been constructed for that purpose.

As a result of the investigation, Audra Summerville was arrested and charged with concealing the death of another, in violation of Georgia Code § 16-10-31.

Authorities also obtained arrest warrants charging Joshua Sewell with concealing the death of another.

The investigation remains active, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Callaway thanked Elbert County investigators, the GBI, the Elbert County Coroner’s Office, Elbert County Emergency Services and the Elbert County Road Department for their assistance in the investigation.

The allegations against Summerville and Sewell have not been adjudicated in court.