Carroll County man sentenced for brutally abusing infant child in 2019

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CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. - Elbert Patterson Jr. was convicted of aggravated battery under the Family Violence Act by a Carroll County jury on Jan. 9 for the severe abuse of his 12-month-old child. Judge Dustin Hightower presided over the trial and sentenced Patterson to 20 years in the Department of Corrections.
What we know:
The investigation, led by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, revealed that Patterson was alone with the child on April 25, 2019. When the child’s mother returned home from work, she found Patterson in bed with the infant, who was unresponsive and not breathing.
The mother immediately called 911 and performed CPR under the guidance of emergency dispatchers until medical professionals arrived. The child was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, where doctors determined the infant had sustained catastrophic brain injuries consistent with severe abusive head trauma inflicted while in Patterson’s care.
What they're saying:
The West Georgia Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office commended the coordinated efforts of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, medical professionals at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the child’s mother, whose courage was instrumental in bringing the case to trial.
"This conviction serves as a reminder of our community’s commitment to protecting children and holding abusers accountable," the District Attorney’s Office stated. They emphasized their dedication to seeking justice for victims of abuse and supporting those impacted by such tragedies.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Wade Mason, Assistant District Attorney Jared Parrish, and Chief Investigator Becky Byrd.