Infant Suffers Broken Bones, More Injuries; Dad Charged: Cherokee Cops

ATLANTA, GA — A 10-week-old baby girl who authorities say had multiple broken bones also suffered severe injuries to her mouth and throat, and her father has been arrested in connection to the case.

Cherokee County detectives responded Monday to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta after being notified of an infant who had possibly been abused in Cherokee, authorities said Wednesday.

The newborn was being treated in the hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said.

In addition to the injuries to her mouth and throat, authorities said she also had broken bones in her legs, ribs and ankles.

Authorities said the girl's parents were interviewed, and her father, John Azzolino, was ultimately arrested in connection to the case.

Azzolino was charged on suspicion of two counts of aggravated battery and first-degree cruelty to children, authorities said. He remains incarcerated without bond, authorities said.

The child's mother is cooperating, authorities said. She and Azzolino have a 3-year-old child who is now in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services, authorities said.