Police: Atlanta Fire lieutenant charged with child abuse

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An officer with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department has bonded out of jail after being charged with cruelty to children.

The Smyrna Police Department obtained warrants Tuesday morning for the arrest of Lt. Ahmard Wright.  According to Cobb County Jail records, Wright turned himself in around noon and FOX 5 cameras captured the moment he left the facility on $22,220 bond at around 3:15 p.m. 

Officers opened an investigation into Wright March 4 after doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Scottish Rite Hospital called authorities to report a suspected case of child abuse. 

Wright's child, an infant, was determined to have a "non-accidental traumatic brain injury."

"Our investigators they want to be--they want to do their due diligence," explained Smyrna Police Sgt. Louis Defense.  "They want to be comprehensive and thorough and just make sure they're doing the right thing."

Atlanta Fire officials did not return requests for comment on Wright's employment status with the city.

"It's very unfortunate.  You know, we're a close-knit family in public safety and it's just unfortunate what it happening to this individual," said Sgt. Defense.

According to investigators, the baby is out of the hospital and staying with family.  Relatives at Wright's home referred any questions to their attorneys.

The Atlanta Fire Department said they do not comment on disciplinary and personal matters for employees. Officials confirmed he was placed on administrative leave as of Tuesday morning.

Wright had been with the department for 8 years.