A mother stands trial in a case that has rocked East Point. Nicole Ashley Jackson, 27, is accused of killing one of her 4-year-old twin daughters, severely injuring the other, and setting their apartment on fire to cover up the crime.
In Context: This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the potential failures of a child welfare system that had prior involvement with the family. It has left one child dead, another severely hurt, and a community grappling with unanswered questions.
What’s Happening: On November 23, 2022, the night before Thanksgiving, emergency crews responded to a fire at the Brookfield Apartments in East Point. Inside the apartment, they found the body of 4-year-old Arielle Jackson and her severely burned twin sister. Nicole Jackson had fled the scene but was arrested days later. She now faces charges of murder, felony malice murder, and attempted felony, along with two counts of first-degree cruelty to children.
• Arielle Jackson died from homicidal violence before the fire, according to an autopsy.
• The medical examiner found significant burns and a fractured skull caused by extreme heat.
Between the Lines: The Department of Human Services had prior contact with Jackson in 2019 over “possible neglect concerns.” Despite this, the case was closed, and officials stated there was no belief that Arielle was in “imminent danger” as of June 2022.
