WHITFIELD COUNTY — Erica Dawn Hedden, 44, of Rocky Face, pleaded guilty to influencing a witness on June 5, 2026, in Whitfield County Superior Court. Hedden admitted to pressuring a victim to provide false information regarding physical and sexual abuse committed by her son, Skylor Burke.

Chief Superior Court Judge Cindy Morris accepted the plea. Influencing a witness is a felony offense. Hedden's sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2026.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Odom presented evidence indicating Hedden used the Life360 application to track the victim's movements and communicated location data to Burke while he was incarcerated. Detective Chris Hicks and the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office identified these efforts.

District Attorney Ben Kenemer stated, "The very first person the victim told about the rape was Ms. Hedden, who is Burke's mother." Kenemer explained he withheld statements on Burke's conviction while his mother's case remained pending. "Now that Ms. Hedden has pleaded guilty, we can publicly recognize the work of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office and the efforts that went into holding those responsible accountable," Kenemer said.

Skylor Burke was convicted by a Whitfield County jury on March 30, 2026, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Burke has appealed his conviction, and a motion for a new trial is pending.