Canton man accused of murder following 2-year-old's death
Canton police arrest man after toddler dies
Canton Police arrested 22-year-old Celso Vicente on charges of malice murder and cruelty to children following the death of a 2-year-old boy.
CANTON, Ga. - A 22-year-old man was arrested on Monday night following the death of an unresponsive 2-year-old child in Canton.
What we know:
Officers responded to a home in the 300 block of Cartersville Street around 11:29 a.m. Monday after receiving a report of an unresponsive 2-year-old child.
Canton police officers and Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel rendered aid and transported the child to a local hospital, where the child died.
Detectives interviewed 22-year-old Celso Edison Vicente Y Vicente of Canton, who was identified as the live-in boyfriend of the child's mother.
Investigators developed probable cause for arrest warrants and executed search warrants on the home and a vehicle with assistance from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit.
Police arrested Vicente Y. Vicente around 7 p.m. Monday and charged him with malice murder and cruelty to children in the first degree.
Celso Edison Vicente Y Vicente booking photo (Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office)
Officers transported him to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, where he remains in custody.
What they're saying:
"The death of a child is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic loss," said Chief Marty Ferrell. "Our detectives have worked diligently to conduct a thorough and professional investigation. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of this case and allowing the judicial process to move forward."
Neighbors along Cartersville Street expressed shock after seeing crime scene tape and emergency vehicles flood the quiet block.
"CSI never comes out, and the police are rarely through this neighborhood. I mean, it had to be something drastic," said longtime resident Debbie Howell.
Howell recalled seeing the young boy playing outside with his mother.
"He had his little tricycle thing, like a little Hot Wheels," Howell said. "Yeah, he’d play at that. He was really cute... It’s really sad. It’s heartbreaking. So be careful with the kids. Treat them like they’re gold because they are."
What we don't know:
Officials have not released the identity of the child out of respect for the family and the sensitive nature of the case. Police have not released additional details regarding the evidence or the exact circumstances of the death because the investigation remains active.
What's next:
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Erin Fulenwider at (770) 720-4883 or erin.fulenwider@cantonga.gov.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Canton Police Department, who released details on the investigation, as well as Chief Marty Ferrell.