Flowery Branch, Georgia — A Georgia sheriff’s deputy has been fired and is facing criminal charges after police accused him of slapping a 4-year-old boy so hard that the impact allegedly left a significant hand-shaped mark on the child’s face.

The alleged incident happened on September 9 at an apartment on Harwood Road in Flowery Branch, about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. According to a criminal complaint, other children in the home reportedly heard the alleged hitting through the walls of the bedroom.

Martin Simmons, 46, who worked for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, is accused of family violence battery and child cruelty. The allegations prompted a police investigation and ultimately led to his dismissal from the sheriff’s office.

How the Alleged Incident Began

The Oakwood Police Department began investigating after receiving a child abuse complaint from the Department of Family and Child Services.

According to reports, Simmons was attempting to put the 4-year-old boy to bed when the child began crying because he did not want to sleep.

Police allege that Simmons slapped the boy inside a closed bedroom. Other people in the home reportedly heard the sound from the adjoining room, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint also describes an attempt by another adult to enter the bedroom. Simmons allegedly refused to let the person inside.

At one point, a child opened the door, and Simmons reportedly began yelling at her, according to the affidavit. Another adult then stood between Simmons and the other children.

Investigators are examining the reported circumstances surrounding the incident, including what other people in the home allegedly heard and observed.

Police Describe a Significant Mark on the Child’s Face

One of the key details in the case concerns the injury allegedly left on the boy.

According to police, Simmons allegedly left a “significant mark” in the shape of a hand on the child’s face after the reported slap. Bruising reportedly became visible the following day.

The allegations suggest that the incident was not limited to what witnesses heard inside the bedroom. Investigators also received information about the physical marks that appeared on the child afterward.

Authorities have not provided further details about the boy’s medical condition or whether he required treatment. The allegations remain part of an ongoing criminal case, and Simmons is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Hall County Sheriff’s Office Fires Deputy

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office fired Simmons on October 14 after an arrest warrant was issued, according to the report. At the time of his dismissal, Simmons had recently been promoted to investigator and was still undergoing training for the position.

His employment with the agency began in July 2023, when he joined as a jailer. He graduated from the police academy approximately a year later and subsequently joined the patrol division.

The dismissal ended his employment with the sheriff’s office following the allegations involving the young child.

The case has also raised questions about the circumstances that led to the investigation and the evidence collected by police. Officials have not publicly detailed every step of the investigation or released additional information about the department’s internal actions.

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Deputy Arrested and Released on Bond

Simmons was arrested and taken to the Hall County Jail. He has since been released after posting bond. He faces allegations of family violence battery and child cruelty in connection with the reported incident.

As of the information available in the report, his next court date had not been listed.

The criminal complaint provides details about the alleged slap, the other people who reportedly heard the incident and the mark investigators said appeared on the child’s face. Further court proceedings are expected to address the allegations and the evidence supporting the charges.

Authorities have not announced a final outcome in the case.

Investigation Raises Questions About Child Safety

The case began with a child abuse complaint and developed into a criminal investigation involving a law enforcement officer. The reported presence of other children in the home and the allegations about the boy’s injuries are central details in the account.

For now, Simmons has lost his position with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and remains subject to the criminal proceedings stemming from the allegations.

Additional information about court dates, evidence and the status of the case may become available as the legal process moves forward.

What do you think should happen when a person responsible for a child’s care is accused of physical abuse? Share your thoughts in the comments below.