Asia Calabrese-Lewis, a Georgia mother accused of drowning her daughter in a pond in Sandy Springs, chose to waive her initial court appearance on Monday.
According to 11 Alive, 24-year-old Lewis has been in jail since Thursday night and was scheduled to make her first court appearance this week, in connection with the death of her 22-month-old daughter, Nirvana Oliver.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Sandy Springs police put out an alert for Nirvana Thursday night after they were called to the Concourse office complex across the street from The Bishop Apartments, where the suspect and victim lived.
An arrest affidavit indicated that the defendant was found naked and acting strange, and said she was on a “religious journey” after having “some type of episode.”
While interviewing Lewis, she reportedly told police that Nirvana was dead at the “bottom of a pool.” Law enforcement then searched a nearby retention pond and found Nirvana there hours later. She was taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, where she passed away.
Police subsequently arrested Calabrese-Lewis and charged her with murder and cruelty to children.
An arrest warrant indicated that security footage caught Lewis walking with Nirvana toward the pond at the office park, then going off-camera for several minutes before she walked back into the frame while naked.
“This is a big [business] park, it is not normally somewhere where children run and play,” Sgt. Matt McGinnis with the Sandy Springs Police Department said. “There are several different ponds.”
Nirvana’s grandfather, Kenneth Oliver, told 11Alive that his son and Lewis lived together around 100 yards away from the retention pond where Nirvana’s body was found. Kenneth said his son (Nirvana’s father) spotted the defendant on the night in question and asked him where Nirvana was.
“F*** that baby,” the defendant allegedly responded.
Kenneth Oliver is now trying to wrap his head around what happened and why.
“What could she have done to deserve to be dead at 23 months,” Kenneth said. “She was the best baby in the world. She lit up any room she entered.”
A day before the incident, officers were called to a business to conduct a welfare check regarding a potential case of child abuse involving Lewis and an unidentified minor.
Police did not press charges since they determined that no criminal offense had been committed. Instead, they referred the matter to the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS).
“The Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) is aware of the tragic death of one-year-old Nirvana Oliver, and we are working closely with law enforcement to assist them in their investigation,” a DFCS statement, released after the incident, read.
“DFCS’ first involvement with Asia Calabrese-Lewis was on evening of May 10, when we received a report alleging suspected abuse/neglect of Nirvana. We opened a case and attempted a home visit on May 11. This loss is devastating, and our deepest condolences go out to Nirvana’s loved ones.”
Nirvana’s father was interviewed and has not been charged in the case. Meanwhile, Lewis remains behind bars without bail.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Nirvana Oliver; Facebook/Asia Calabrese-Lewis; Sandy Springs PD]
