Social Media Users Report Crime on Viral Video in Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County Courthouse

Gwinnett County, Ga. - According to authorities in Gwinnett County, many people have called in regarding a video of a young girl being disciplined.

The video allegedly took place in Gwinnett County. The video has also circulated across many different social media platforms. Viewers are worried for her safety after seeing the video as she is struck and verbally abused for nearly 40 minutes.

Authorities have not released any information about their investigation into the matter. However, as a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney, I will outline one of the possible charges - cruelty to children.

Cruelty to Children in Georgia

The crime of cruelty to children in Georgia is outlined in the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70. The statute, as I mentioned above, breaks down the offense into three different degrees.

First-degree cruelty to children occurs when a parent, guardian, or other person supervising a child under the age of 18 willfully deprives the child of necessary sustenance to the extent that the child's well-being is jeopardized. In addition, cruelty to children in the first degree includes when a person maliciously causes a child under the age of 18 cruel or excessive physical or mental pain.

Second-degree cruelty to children occurs when a person with criminal negligence causes a child less than 18 years old cruel or excessive physical or mental pain.

Third-degree cruelty to children occurs when either a person, who is the primary aggressor, intentionally allows a child under the age of 18 to witness the commission of a forcible felony, battery, or family violence battery; or a person, who is the primary aggressor, having knowledge that a child under the age of 18 is present and sees or hears the act, commits a forcible felony, battery, or family violence battery.

Cruelty to children is considered a felony in Georgia. The penalty can include up to twenty years in prison. The only exception is with third-degree child cruelty - a judge has the discretion with this degree to charge it as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.

Practice Note

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