Andrea Latrice McCord, 36, has been sentenced to five years in prison for kidnapping her daughter, a child under the age of 14. The sentence was handed down by Superior Court Senior Judge G. Grant Brantley in Cobb County. In addition to the prison term, McCord will serve 15 years on probation.
The incident dates back to April 2021 when McCord took her four-year-old daughter from the home of the child's father, James Williams, without having custody rights. Accompanied by her boyfriend Custodio Guerra, McCord fled and was found two years later with her daughter in Mexico after an extensive search involving local and federal authorities.
James Williams reported his daughter's disappearance immediately after McCord left with the child. The investigation was led by the Smyrna Police Department in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the U.S. Marshals.
District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. commented on the case stating, "This sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime and its lasting impact on the victim and her family. The safety and well-being of children must always be our top priority, and we are grateful for the tireless efforts of all those involved in bringing justice to this case."
Deputy Chief District Attorney Lindsay Raynor prosecuted on behalf of the state while Andrea McCord chose to represent herself during legal proceedings.