Insets: Michael Horn and Alexiss Eitrem (Cobb County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The 400 block of Ramona Street where Horn’s 5-year-old son was allegedly beaten to death (Google Maps).
Michael Horn, aged 31, has been charged with aggravated assault along with five counts of child cruelty. His partner, Alexiss Eitrem, also 31, faces five counts of child cruelty as well.
The Marietta Police Department shared in a Facebook update that officers responded to a 911 call and found an unresponsive child at a residence in the 400 block of Ramona Street on Sunday. The boy was immediately taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. Authorities noted that the child had apparent signs of physical abuse.
“The deceased 5-year-old had visible injuries that looked suspicious,” Marietta Police Officer Chuck McPhilamy commented to the local Fox affiliate WAGA.
According to a warrant obtained by the TV station, Horn allegedly caused blunt force trauma to the boy, leading to severe internal injuries, including brain bleeding. The warrant for Eitrem reportedly indicates that she “knowingly allowed the repeated beatings and torture of the five-year-old by his biological father over approximately five months.”
According to a warrant obtained by the TV station, Horn “inflicted blunt force trauma” on the boy that led to internal bleeding, including on the brain. A warrant for Eitrem reportedly states she “knowingly allowed repeated beatings and torture of the five-year-old victim by his biological father over the course of approximately five months.”
Cops say the abuse occurred in front of the couple’s other four children. The warrant did not contain information about what led up to the alleged abuse.
Horn and Eitrem were arrested on Monday and remain in the Cobb County Jail without bond.
A neighbor told WAGA her daughter is friends with one of the kids that live in the home.
“I got chills all over my body,” Shirley Jones told the outlet. “She said that was her best friend. My heart goes out. I mean, it’s a child. I don’t know what else to say, but God be with him.”
