The father of the 22-month-old boy who died in a hot Atlanta SUV last month was exchanging nude photos on the day of the toddler's death, authorities revealed Thursday.
Cobb County Police Detective Phil Stoddard testified that in addition to the explicit photos sent to multiple women, Justin Ross Harris visited a website that advocates not having children. Harris faces murder and second-degree child cruelty charges for his son's death.
Harris, 33, told police that on the morning of June 18, he was supposed to drop his son off at daycare but forgot. He drove to his job at a Home Depot corporate office, and left his SUV in the parking lot with Cooper still strapped into his rear-facing car seat.
When he got off work at 4:16pm, he drove a few miles before discovering his son. Authorities said he was inconsolable at the scene and screamed "What have I done?" Cooper had been left in the car for seven hours, and the temperature reached 92 degrees that day in Atlanta.
Thursday's testimony revealed that while Harris was at work, he was also sending nude photos to women and teenagers. In addition, he researched prison survival on the internet, and watched videos on children dying in cars.
Police reported Sunday that Harris' wife, and the mother of Cooper, Leanna, also researched how hot a car would have to be for an unattended child to die. Leanna told investigators that she researched hot car deaths because she was afraid it might happen to their son.
Further testimony from Detective Stoddard showed that the couple had two life insurance policies on Cooper—one for $2,000 and one for $25,000. It is unclear when the policies were purchased.
Stoddard also testified that Mrs Harris was unhappy with her husband's spending. The detective said that the evidence does not indicate an accidental death.
"I think the evidence now is showing intent," Stoddard told the court.
And despite police reports stating that Harris was distraught at the scene, Stoddard said there was drama but no emotion.
"Harris is walking around, rubbing his eyes, look like he's trying to hyperventilate," he testified. "Then, nothing. No tears, no real emotion."
Harris is being held without bail.
