Written by: E. George
Published March 11, 2024 @ 9:30 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding physical violence against children.
FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. – On February 5, 2024, Rome Police officers arrested a 30-year-old Rome man after his three-month-old son was brought to the hospital with several broken ribs and a brain bleed. Cesar Alejandro Lopez Sr. faces charges of aggravated assault and first-degree child cruelty (causing excessive physical/mental pain).
At approximately 9:15 PM, an Atrium Health at Floyd hospital employee reported the suspected child abuse, and officers responded to the emergency room to investigate. They observed medical staff working on an infant.
Through tears, the mother explained that she left her baby alone with his father while she worked that day. She said she checked on them throughout the day because Lopez Sr. felt ill, and he assured her everything was fine.
Just before 6:00 PM, Lopez Sr. called and told her she needed to come home because the baby was “getting really fussy, and he did not know what to do.” When she returned home, she found Lopez Sr. lying on the couch in the living room and her son lying on his stomach on the bed in the bedroom.
She noticed him grunting and interpreted the discomfort as gas. When she questioned Lopez Sr. about the noises, he said he had been grunting all day and believed it was a reaction to the formula.
After about 10 minutes in the shower, Lopez Sr. carried the crying infant wrapped in a blanket into the bathroom. When she asked to hold him to try to soothe him, Lopez Sr. became defensive and refused to hand him over.
He kept repeating that the baby was fine despite her questions about his last diaper change and meal. Thinking his behavior was strange, she became increasingly anxious.
After she yelled at him, he finally allowed her to hold the infant and began apologizing. When she removed the blanket, she saw that he had bruises all over his body.
He continued to cry and grunt, and she observed his eyes roll back. She said she knew she needed to seek immediate medical attention.
She told Lopez Sr. she planned to take her son to the hospital, and he said, “No; he’s fine,” snatched her phone and keys, and locked her in the room, preventing her from leaving.
Her eight-year-old child (who had been at work with her all day) heard her calling out for help and let her out of the room. After Lopez Sr. refused to hand over her keys, she ran outside and screamed for help.
Her son was “just grunting and would not wake up.” Lopez Sr. claimed the infant fell off the couch, but she said she knew the fall would not cause bruises all over his arms, legs, and abdomen.
Lopez Sr. still apologized, saying that he was impatient, sick, tired, sleepy, and “taking a lot of medication.” The mother explained that he only allowed her to leave after she punched him.
Lopez Sr. tried entering her vehicle as she headed for the hospital. She spotted neighbors and screamed for help.
He called and texted her repeatedly until she blocked him. He then called her mother and claimed he dropped the child while showering.
The baby’s mother explained that she discovered bruises and hickey marks on the infant in the past. She said Lopez Sr. “nibbles or sucks on the baby, making statements, like ‘He’s so cute, I just want to bite him.'”
Officers were notified that Lopez Sr. had come to the hospital and then fled in a blue Ford Mustang. The family was able to track him on their Life360 application, and officers traveled to the Nixon Avenue location to detain and transport him to the Floyd County Jail.
This case is pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on February 05, 2024]
On Monday, 2/5/2024 at 2114 hours I was dispatched to 304 Turner McCall Blvd, Atrium Health at Floyd, room 38 in the emergency room, in reference to possible child abuse. Upon my arrival, I entered room 38 and observed medical staff working on an infant. I spoke with the infant’s mother, [VICTIM #1].
Ms [VICTIM #1] stated when she went to work at approximately 0900 hours she left her infant son, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] with the father Cesar Lopez Sr. Ms [VICTIM #1] stated when she returned home around 1815 [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was on the bed in her room and was grunting. Ms [VICTIM #1] stated she thought maybe [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had gas due to previously acting that way.
Ms [VICTIM #1] asked Cesar Sr to watch [REDACTED BY AGENCY] while she took a shower. Ms [VICTIM #1] stated while she was showering Cesar Sr came into the bathroom with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] bundled in a blanket but [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was crying and Cesar Sr couldn’t make stop [REDACTED BY AGENCY] crying. Ms [VICTIM #1] stated she told Cesar Sr to give her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to see if she could appease him.
Cesar Sr immediately became defensive and did not want to turn [REDACTED BY AGENCY] over to Ms [VICTIM #1]. Ms [VICTIM #1] stated she told Cesar Sr to give her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Ms [VICTIM #1] after striking Cesar Sr he turned over [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Ms [VICTIM #1] stated she saw bruising on both arms, both legs and the abdomen area. Ms [VICTIM #1] stated Cesar Sr stated on several occasions he became impatient with [REDACTED BY AGENCY].
Ms [VICTIM #1] stated she continued to ask what happened and Cesar Sr became more defensive when she stated she was going to take [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to the hospital. Ms [VICTIM #1] stated Cesar Sr took her cellphone and locked her in a room. Ms [VICTIM #1] stated her 8 year old daughter let her out.
I was informed while I was speaking with Ms [VICTIM #1], Cesar Sr left the hospital in a blue 2 door mustang bearing Georgia registration [REDACTED]. Ms [VICTIM #1]’s mother had Cesar Sr’s location on life360. I asked if an officer could respond to [400 BLOCK] Nixon Ave and locate Cesar Sr.
I advised Sgt Thacker of what took place and he notified investigations. Investigator Ridling responded to Atrium Health at Floyd and interviewed Ms [VICTIM #1].
Ms [VICTIM #1] was given the victim notification and was advised of her rights as a victim.
Pfc Wilbanks was able to detain and transport Cesar Sr to the station where Investigator Ridling questioned him about the incident.
Once Investigator Ridling was complete with the questioning I placed Cesar Sr under arrest for cruelty to children 1st degree (FVA) and transported him to the Floyd County Jail. While at the jail Investigator Ridling called and advised me to charge Cesar Sr with aggravated assault (FVA) due to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] having several broken ribs and a brain bleed.
The rear of my patrol vehicle was searched prior to and after transport and no contraband was located.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on February 05, 2024]
On 02/05/2024 at 22:00 hours, I was notified by Captain Pace that a 3 month old child was at Floyd/Atrium being treated for suspicious injuries. Captain Pace advised me that the mother of the child had taken the child to the hospital after seeing the injuries. I was also advised that the child’s father had been in charge of caring for the child while the mother was at work.
I advised Captain Pace that I would be en route to the hospital first. I arrived at Floyd Medical Center at 22:21 hours and was advised that the child and his mother were in room 38. I made contact with the child’s mother, Ms. [VICTIM #1], who was visibly crying and shaken up.
I asked Ms. [VICTIM #1] what time she had left that morning and she responded about 09:40 hours. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she left her son with his father, Cesar Lopez Sr. She stated that she checked on the baby on his father throughout the day because, Cesar Lopez Sr had been feeling ill. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Cesar ensured her that everything was fine. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that a little before 18:00 hours, Cesar called her and told her that she needed to come home because the baby was getting really fussy and he did not know what to do.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she told her mother that she needed to go because Cesar had called. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she got home and Cesar Sr. was laying on the couch and the baby was in their bedroom laying down on his belly. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated the baby liked sleeping on his stomach. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she went to check on the baby and heard him grunting. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she did not think much of it because [REDACTED BY AGENCY] has gas issues, but stated it has been a while since she heard him doing that. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she brushed it off, and returned to the living room.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she asked Mr. Lopez how long the child has been asleep, and he responded he just went to sleep. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she asked about the grunting noise and asked if he had been doing that all day. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated Mr. Lopez stated he had and he thought it was the formula. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated they had to change the formula so she did not think that was strange.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that when she was checking on the baby, the room was dark and he had a blanket covering him. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she decided to go get a shower and get the other two children ready for bed. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated the other two children had been at the dealership with her, and stated that Mr. Lopez was completely alone with the baby for the day.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she had been in the shower for about 10 minutes when she heard the baby crying again. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she called out to Mr. Lopez to go check on the baby, and thought he had fallen asleep on the couch. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez brought the baby to her but had him wrapped up and she could not see the baby. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated Mr. Lopez was rocking the baby. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that told Mr. Lopez to give the child to her and maybe she could comfort him and get him to go to sleep. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez would not let her hold the baby.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she thought that to be very odd. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she kept telling Mr. Lopez to give her the baby, but he refused, stating he’s fine. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she insisted that Mr. Lopez give her the baby. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she got dressed and again asked for the baby. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated Mr. Lopez was still refusing to give her the baby. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she told him again to give her the baby and she would comfort him.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] said she began asking him about when the last time the baby had been fed or changed his diaper. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez continued to hold the baby and kept saying the baby was fine. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she began to get a bad feeling and had red flags going off. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated it wasn’t until she yelled at him to give her the baby that Mr. Lopez handed the child over to her. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez began apologizing saying he was sorry.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she unwrapped [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. and saw bruises all over his body. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated the baby was still crying and grunting. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she saw her son’s eyes roll back and knew she needed to seek medical attention for her son. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated she told Mr. Lopez that she was going to take the baby to the hospital and Mr. Lopez kept saying no hes fine. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated Mr. Lopez took her phone and her keys and locked her in the room and would not allow her to leave.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that her 8 year old could hear her calling out for help. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she was finally able to get out of the room, but stated that Mr. Lopez would not give her the car keys. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she ran outside and began screaming for help. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was just grunting and would not wake up. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez kept saying he was sorry and that he was very impatient. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had fallen off the couch.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that it would not have been the first time that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had fallen from the couch. She added that she had actually been in the same room once before when he rolled over and fell off the couch, but added that the couch is not high off the floor, and that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had no visible marks or bruises. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she knew the bruises on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] did not come from falling off the couch and again asked Mr. Lopez what happened.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez said again that he was being impatient and that he was sick and taking a lot of medication, and that he was tired and sleepy. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez kept saying he was sorry, and acting like he was trying to get her to back to the bedroom. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that it was not until she started punching Mr. Lopez that he allowed her to get out.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she called her mother and informed that something was wrong with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and that he was unresponsive. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez was trying to get dressed to come with her. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez would not get off her vehicle. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated the neighbors were outside and she started screaming for help.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez finally let her leave with the child to go to the emergency room. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez had been calling her non-stop since she left. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that she had to block him from calling and texting her. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez’s mother then called her and told her that Mr. Lopez told her that he dropped [REDACTED BY AGENCY] while showering, and that is where all the bruises come from.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that this is not the first time she has seen bruises or marks on [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Lopez nibble or sucks on the baby, making statements like “he’s so cute, I just want to bite him”. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated the marks look like a hickey. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that he had left the mark on his stomach area. Ms. [VICTIM #1] stated that as far she she knows, this would have been the first time that Mr. Lopez had showered with the baby.
[End of Narrative]