Georgia – A Georgia man and his girIfriend, 33-year-old L. Tompson and 37-year-old D. Bard, were sentenced this week in connection with the death of the woman’s 6-year-old chiId, who was beaten and fatally abused at a home in Georgia. The man was convicted by a jury in October of felony murder, aggravated assauIt and first-degree chiId crueIty and received a Iife sentence without the possibiIity of paroIe. The chiId’s mom pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to thirty years in prison, with twenty five years to be served behind bars, according to the County District Attorney’s Office.
The case stemmed from events that took place in June 2021, when Georgia authorities were called to the family’s residence after reports that a child was unconscious. Officers found the 6-year-old chiId unresponsive with shallow breathing and bIood coming from his mouth. He was rushed to a hospital and then airlifted to Children’s Healthcare, where he was placed on life support. The child later died from his injuries.
During the investigation, law enforcement documented widespread bruising covering the majority of the child’s body, indicating repeated and severe physical trauma. Police said the child’s mother and her partner were initially arrested and charged with aggravated assauIt, aggravated battery and crueIty to children. After the child’s death, Georgia authorities upgraded the charges to include malice murder and felony murder, reflecting prosecutors’ conclusion that their conduct directly led to the child’s death.
According to court records and statements released by prosecutors, in the days leading up to the fatal incident, the couple (SEE PHOTO) physically punished the boy because he had wet the bed. After the chiId again wet the bed, both defendants forced him to perform strenuous physical activities in the summer heat. Investigators said he was made to run laps and do pushups, and when he complained of exhaustion, he was beaten. These acts contributed to the child collapsing and losing consciousness.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement personnel conducted a thorough investigation that included interviews with neighbors and witnesses, medical examinations, and documentation of the physical injuries. Evidence presented at trial showed that the child had extensive bruising on most of his body, a broken arm, and severe head trauma. Medical testimony indicated that the combination of forced physical punishment and subsequent shock, brain swelling and internal stress led to his death.
Investigators also noted that emergency services were not contacted until at least four hours after the boy collapsed, despite the severity of his condition. Prosecutors cited this delay as part of the neglectful conduct contributing to the death. Witness statements and physical evidence at the scene were critical in piecing together the timeline and nature of the abuse.
When the child complained of exhaustion, Georgia authorities said he was beaten by the adults, causing him to collapse and become unresponsive. Paramedics were not called for several hours. Medical findings later showed the child’s body went into shock, leading to brain swelling and ultimately his death.
