Georgia Girl, 4, Dies After Being Found in Trash Can

A 4-year-old Georgia girl died after she was discovered upside down in a trash can filled with water and fish, according to authorities investigating the child's tragic death.

Jayde Wooten was found in a small bathroom at a residence on Rocky Creek Road in Macon last Saturday. Deputies were dispatched to the home shortly before 2 p.m. for a medical emergency. Upon arrival, they found Jayde receiving CPR. Emergency personnel transported her to a nearby medical facility, where she was pronounced dead by medical staff.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has not released an official cause or manner of death, and autopsy results are pending.

According to an incident report, Jayde's father stated he had just arrived home and realized the girl was not in her room. He then woke Jayde's mother, who reported she had last seen the 4-year-old eating in the kitchen before falling asleep. The father searched the house and then went outside to ask neighbors if they had seen Jayde.

After hearing Jayde’s mother scream, the father returned inside and found the child in the water-filled garbage can in the bathroom. He pulled Jayde from the container and carried her outside to seek help.

A deputy noted a large bathroom container holding water and fish, along with water on the floor leading toward the front door. A neighbor told the deputy that Jayde's mother had come to her home seeking assistance. The neighbor and another resident alternated performing CPR until Macon-Bibb firefighters arrived.

One neighbor reported that Jayde expelled fluid from her mouth and briefly opened her eyes during CPR. The second neighbor stated she could not detect a pulse while performing CPR.

Firefighters and paramedics took over the emergency response before EMS transported Jayde to a local hospital. She was later pronounced deceased.

A GoFundMe fundraiser identified Jayde's parents as Maleek Wooten and Jorden Wooten, describing her death as a "horrible accident." The organizer wrote, "No parent should ever have to face this kind of pain." As of Saturday, the campaign had raised over $3,700 toward a $5,500 goal to help cover funeral costs and support the parents.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking for anyone with information to contact investigators at 478-751-7500 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.