A U.S. Army military police officer stationed at Fort Stewart has been arrested and charged with murdering his own infant son. Private First Class Zachary Kyle Cunning, who served as a military police officer, was taken into custody by the Hinesville Police Department on September 18 and is currently being held without bond in Liberty County Jail.
Charges Filed
According to jail records from Liberty County, Cunning faces two felony charges:
- Murder (Georgia Statute 16-5-1)
- Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree (Georgia Statute 16-5-70(c)) — specifically related to criminal negligence causing excessive physical or mental pain
He has been booked for eight days as of this publication. No bond has been granted. Both charges are scheduled to be handled in Superior Court.
The Victim: Baby Hayden
The victim was Cunning’s newborn son, Hayden. Public Facebook posts made by both Cunning and his wife, Carly Overmyer, paint a deeply emotional—if now disturbing—picture in the wake of the child’s death.
In a post dated shortly before his arrest, Cunning wrote:
“…this hurts to post… but you’re in a better place now my lil man. Imma miss u so much… words can’t describe the pain I feel… you were my guiding light to keep pushing through so much.”
Another post by Cunning thanked God “for letting me say goodbye to him one last time.”
Carly Overmyer, the infant’s mother and Cunning’s wife, also posted a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral and memorial services, describing Hayden as “a sweet angel sent from heaven to us” and remembering his “sly smirks and big smiles.” As of this writing, the fundraiser has raised just over $600 of a $5,000 goal.
Fort Stewart public affairs officials have not released any statements regarding the arrest or the charges against one of their own. It is unclear if Cunning has retained legal counsel, and no details have been released on the circumstances leading to the infant’s death.
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