Dad in Hot Car Death Facing Sexting Charges

The Cobb County dad accused of killing his small son by leaving the boy in a hot car, now faces an indictment on eight new charges related to sexual material found on his phone.

Justin Ross Harris is preparing for trial next month on murder and cruelty to children charges in the 2014 death of his son, 22-month-old Cooper.

Ross is also facing charges related to sexual explicit messages with underage girls that were found on his phone as police were investigating his son's death.

The new charges include two counts of sexual exploitation of children and six counts of disseminating harmful material to a minor, according to the AJC. The charges are related to sexual photos and chat messages between Harris and three underage girls.

“We are concerned that the timing of this indictment is a calculated maneuver to inflame public opinion against Ross on the eve of jury selection,” Harris’ attorney, Maddox Kilgore told the AJC in a statement.

In response to the new charges, Cobb District Attorney Vic Reynolds said, “This case will not be tried by the state in the media. The recent indictment is based on advances in electronic forensic analysis in conjunction with recent interviews of newly discovered victims. Had the State delayed charging any further, prosecution of some of the charges would have barred by the statute of limitations.”

In June 2014, Harris is accused of driving to work at a Home Depot corporate office, and leaving his son buckled in his child seat in the car for the entire work day.

The death received national attention due to Harris' claim that he forgot his son was in the car. Police have built a case around online searches regarding hot car deaths prior to Cooper's death.

Harris pleaded not guilty to all of the original eight counts against him in October. Harris has been held without bond since June 2014.

Reynolds announced in September that the state would not seek the death penalty against Harris if he is convicted.

Last month, Leanna Harris filed divorce papers from her husband.

with reporting by Tim Darnell, Patch staff