Two people were arrested and charged in Nashville, Ga., after an 8-week-old infant was taken to the hospital suffering from alleged severe neglect. Upon further investigation, officers discovered three other children living at the same address who also showed signs of neglect.
According to a press release posted on the Nashville Police Department’s Facebook page, on August 28, 2024, officers and detectives with the Nashville Police Department responded to the South Georgia Medical Center Berrien Campus in reference to a report of child neglect. Upon arriving, detectives observed an 8-week-old infant in a lethargic state and covered in alleged bug bites all over its body. It was reported that the infant was malnourished, severely dehydrated, and covered in feces upon arrival and admission to the hospital. Detectives contacted the Berrien County Department of Family and Children Services who had investigators respond. DFCS determined that there was an immediate need to secure emergency custody of the infant.
Detectives then secured a search warrant for the residence that the family provided. Upon execution of the search warrant, it was discovered that there were three other children, ages ranging from 2 years of age to 14 years of age, left unattended inside the residence. Detectives took internal temperature readings of the residence and discovered that the temperature inside the residence was in excess of 90 degrees. The structure was unsafe for habitation as there were several code violations discovered and it was infested with rodents, pests, and a colony of bats. Investigators also discovered that there was no food inside the residence. Representatives from Berrien County DFCS secured an emergency order to take custody of all children, ages ranging from 8 weeks to 14 years of age.
Detectives secured arrest warrants for Maria Romelia Martin, age 41, and Andres Ramires, age 37, for Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree (Felony).