Anthony Salazar

Name:
Salazar, Anthony

Date of Booking:
04/19/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED BATTERY

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN

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.]

On April 19, 2026, at approximately 1916 hours, I observed a juvenile female, later identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY], in the area of 910 Elma G. Miles Parkway (Car Wash Express), who appeared to be in distress while using her cellular phone. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] observed my patrol vehicle and began running toward me, yelling for assistance and waving one hand above her head.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that her father, later identified as Anthony Salazar, was trying to kill her and that she needed help. I pulled into the parking lot of 904 Elma G. Miles Parkway (Enmarket) and notified dispatch that I was being flagged down. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] again requested help and stated that her father had found rotted food and had already “whooped her pretty bad.”

I observed severe bruising and welts along both of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] legs. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] initially declined medical attention, stating she was more concerned that her father was going to harm her younger brothers. She also stated that her father had a baseball bat.

I notified dispatch and requested additional units, then continued gathering information. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] identified her father as Anthony Salazar and described him as dangerous, stating he had previously been to jail. She also reported that he said, “tonight is the night I’m going to jail.”

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] became visibly agitated, ran behind me, and pointed toward the Ravenwood Town homes, stating, “that is him.” I observed an adult male wearing dark shorts, later identified as Anthony Salazar. Upon noticing me, Mr. Salazar placed his phone down and moved out of view.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] requested to sit in my patrol vehicle. I opened the rear door, and she entered. While inside, she stated that her two younger brothers, ages six and seven, were at home.

Sgt. R. Kunda (#139) arrived on scene. I asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to exit my vehicle and show Sgt. Kunda her injuries, which she did. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated, “my dad beat me” and “he said he was going to kill me.” At that time, she was on the phone with her mother, later identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY], who she stated lived at the residence.

Mr. Salazar then approached the location, now wearing a shirt, and asked if I had seen a “little girl,” stating she had run away from the house less than five minutes prior. Mr. Salazar did not have identification but provided his name and date of birth, which were later confirmed through GCIC/NCIC.

When asked about his children, Mr. Salazar stated he had two sons at the residence and, after some time and thought, stated their ages were seven and eight (incorrect ages). While speaking with Mr. Salazar, I detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath and person.

Officer W. Riner (#125) responded to the residence at [REDACTED] to conduct a welfare check on the two juveniles. Shortly thereafter, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] arrived on scene at the Enmarket parking lot.

Mr. Salazar told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] that he had tracked their daughter’s phone to the location and that he could not continue allowing her to run away. When asked why [REDACTED BY AGENCY] would run away, Mr. Salazar stated she had been hiding food, which he found to be rotten. He stated he had been telling her he was going to “correct her,” and that he ultimately did so using a belt. Mr. Salazar stated he struck her with the belt on her legs and said the injuries would be visible.

Mr. Salazar further stated that he showed his sons and told them, “see, your sister got corrected.” He denied making the statement, “today is the day I go to jail,” but stated he told the children he did not care if police were called because he believed he was allowed to “correct” them.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] was moved to Sgt. Kunda’s patrol vehicle.

Based on Mr. Salazar’s admission and the observed physical injuries to [REDACTED BY AGENCY], I placed Mr. Salazar under arrest. He was handcuffed, checked for proper fit, and double-locked. A search incident to arrest was conducted. Mr. Salazar was then placed in the rear driver’s side seat of my patrol vehicle, which had been previously cleared of weapons and contraband.

Lt. Greer (#172) arrived on scene. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] exited the patrol vehicle, and I photographed the injuries to her legs.

I contacted DFCS and made a report. DFCS advised they would not respond to the scene at that time, as the mother was present and there were no immediate indicators the children were unsafe in her care. DFCS stated they would follow up at a later date.

EMS responded and evaluated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the presence of [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] declined transport to the hospital.

Detective Rivera responded and advised he would schedule a forensic interview for [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. He exchanged contact information with [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

My investigation determined that Mr. Salazar’s actions, striking his daughter repeatedly with a belt, causing significant bruising and welts were malicious and resulted in excessive physical and mental pain to the 11-year-old victim. The level of injury exceeded reasonable parental discipline. Additionally, the injuries constituted serious disfigurement of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] legs from the severe swelling, bruising, and welts supporting the Aggravated Battery charge under the Family Violence Act, as the parties are related and reside together.

Further investigation determined that the two younger children, identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY], were present and aware of the assault. Mr. Salazar admitted to using the incident as an example to them. As such, both children are considered victims of Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] was released into the custody of her mother, [REDACTED BY AGENCY], and they returned to the residence. At the residence, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] identified the belt used in the assault and the baseball bat referenced earlier. Both items were located on a stairwell wall near the front door. Officer Riner photographed the items and collected the belt as evidence, securing it in the Hinesville Police Department evidence locker.

I transported Mr. Salazar to the Liberty County Jail, where he was released into the custody of jail staff. Mr. Salazar was charged with Cruelty to Children in the First Degree (FVA), Aggravated Battery (FVA),and two counts of Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree (FVA) .

The appropriate warrants were applied for.

[End of Narrative]