A Georgia deputy was arrested after he allegedly slapped a 4-year-old boy so hard that it left a “significant” mark on his face.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Martin Simmons has been charged with family violence battery and child cruelty following the incident that took place on September 9.
The Oakwood Police Department launched an investigation into the matter after receiving a child abuse complaint from the Department of Family and Child Services.
The alleged incident took place at an apartment in Flowery Branch, according to a criminal complaint viewed by Law & Crime. Officers wrote that other people in the building allegedly heard Simmons, 46, hitting the boy “through the walls.”
One adult tried to enter the room to stop the alleged abuse, but Simmons would not let her in.
A child eventually opened the door, and Simmons started to yell at her. Once the other adult was granted access, they stood between Simmons and the other children in the apartment.
Police said that Simmons was trying to put the victim to bed, and he grew frustrated when the boy started crying because he did not want to sleep, according to AccessNorthGa.com. Simmons then allegedly slapped the boy, which was so hard and loud that other people in the apartment heard it from the closed bedroom.
The slap allegedly left a “significant mark” on the child’s face in the shape of a hand, and police said that bruising appeared on the victim the next day.
It is not currently clear how Simmons was related to the victim.
More than one month after the incident, an arrest warrant was issued against Simmons on October 14, and he was fired by Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Simmons lost his job shortly after he was promoted to investigator, and he was in the process of training for the job at the time he was fired.
Simmons first started working for the agency in July 2023 when he was hired as a jailer, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Us. He then graduated from the police academy about a year later and was hired to work for the patrol division.
He was eventually arrested and taken to the Hall County Jail. Simmons has since been released from custody after posting bond.
It’s not currently clear whether Simmons has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Oakwood Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding updates in his case.
