The Rome Police Department has released additional details in the ongoing homicide investigation into the death of Kaylee B. Shackelford. Authorities announced that Rolanda Monique Edwards, 25, of Rockmart, is now being charged with felony murder, feticide, conspiracy to commit a felony, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, theft by taking and theft by receiving stolen property. These new charges are in addition to earlier charges of concealing the death of another, party to a crime and hindering the apprehension of a criminal.
The investigation began last December when officers were dispatched to the John Graham Homes area near Hull Avenue and Cedar Avenue after a body was discovered wrapped in blankets outside the complex. A pest control worker and property management personnel located the body.
Witnesses reported seeing a red passenger vehicle in the area shortly before the discovery. That vehicle was later stopped in Bartow County with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies. The occupants were questioned, and the vehicle was returned to Rome for further processing as potential evidence.
The victim was identified as 20-year-old Kaylee B. Shackelford of Powell, Tennessee. Investigators believe Edwards and Mystique Malachi Amaziah Taylor were in a relationship, and that Taylor had also begun an online relationship with Edwards.
According to reports, the victim was stabbed in the neck and face before being beaten in the head with a baseball bat. Taylor, 23, of Atlanta, faces multiple charges including murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, theft by receiving stolen property, eluding police, concealing the death of another, second-degree criminal damage to property, simple battery, failure to obey traffic control devices, speeding and reckless driving, in addition to the newly announced feticide charge.
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