ATLANTA, GA — Rodney McWeay, 33, was sentenced to life in prison plus 155 years after being convicted of starving his 4-year-old daughter, Treasure McWeay, to death.
This heartbreaking case sheds light on the extreme abuse and neglect the young child suffered under her father’s care, leading to her tragic death in December 2023.
The Horrific Conditions
On December 11, 2023, Treasure was found in such a severe state of malnutrition that she weighed only 24 pounds, less than half of the average weight for a healthy child her age. Shockingly, she had less than an ounce of water in her stomach when she was pronounced dead at a children’s hospital in Atlanta.
Police officers had been called to the home in the 4000 block of Renfrew Court in Atlanta after receiving reports of an unresponsive child.
When authorities arrived, McWeay was absent from the scene, but Treasure’s two brothers were also hospitalized with severe malnutrition and other serious health issues.
The house was described by prosecutors as a “house of horrors”, revealing the dire living conditions McWeay subjected his children to. His two sons were found to be in equally terrible states, showing signs of neglect.
Abuse and Control
In court, District Attorney Fani T. Willis stated that the case was “a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen when young children are cut off from safety and support.” McWeay kept his children isolated, locking them in a single room and controlling every aspect of their lives.
No food or clothing was found in the home during a police search, but there were surveillance cameras throughout the house, some of which were pointed directly at the children’s beds. These cameras seemed to serve as tools of control and surveillance, allowing McWeay to monitor his children’s every move.
Evidence showed McWeay’s strict control over his children, even after they were removed from his custody by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services in June 2023.
Just days after their removal, McWeay kidnapped the children from their mother in Maryland and returned them to Georgia, further isolating them from the outside world.
The Investigation and Arrest
After receiving a complaint about the “unsatisfactory conditions” in McWeay’s home, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services took the children into custody.
However, within a week, McWeay took the children and fled to Maryland, where he allegedly stole their mother’s car before bringing them back to Georgia.
McWeay was eventually arrested two weeks after Treasure’s death, when officers observed him leaving his home and detained him.
During the trial, his defense attorney argued that McWeay “never intended to hurt his kids” and loved them, despite the overwhelming evidence of neglect and intentional harm inflicted on his children.
A Conviction for Multiple Charges
In July 2025, a Fulton County jury found McWeay guilty on 14 charges related to his daughter’s death. The charges included malice murder, felony murder, first-degree child cruelty, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
McWeay was sentenced to life in prison plus 155 years for the abuse and death of his daughter. The jury’s conviction sends a strong message about the severity of child abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
A Call for Justice
The tragic loss of Treasure McWeay and the abuse she endured serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by those in positions of power over vulnerable children.
This case highlights the need for more comprehensive child protection systems, especially for those children whose lives are controlled and manipulated by abusive parents.
It also emphasizes the importance of continuing to fight for justice for children and victim safety, as well as supporting survivors who come forward with their stories.
