Cobb Couple Charged After Infant Punched Repeatedly: Police

MARIETTA, GA -- A baby is on life support after being allegedly beaten by his father, Patch has learned.

Police in Cobb County said that Shomari Holmes punched his 21-month-old son repeatedly in the head and ribs. The 21-month-old has internal bleeding.

The incident happened in Marietta at an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Bentley Road.

According to a police report obtained by Patch, officers found the child Saturday after responding to a report of a juvenile being "non-responsive."

The baby was taken to Kennestone Regional Medical Center before later being transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in critical condition, Marietta police said.

Holmes, 21, is accused of attacking a 3-year-old girl as well, hitting her on her legs with a belt. Holmes allegedly bit her on her arm as well, according to the police report.

Neighbor Karla Bond told local media that the young couple, both graduates of Marietta High School, seemed like regular, ordinary people.

"Like a normal family. I thought it was cute, like a young couple, a young family," Bond told WSB-TV.

But law enforcement officials paint another picture: They say the family's dwelling was a house of horrors for the little children there, with one child acting "lethargic and scared" last week, WSB reports.

Police believe the beatings have become routine in the apartment -- and the children's mother is in trouble for not notifying authorities of the alleged abuses.

Chantelle Driver, 22, was arrested for watching Holmes use "inappropriate means of discipline on her children" and doing nothing, WXIA reports.

"The child's father admitted to punching his child in the ribs and head and said the accused witnessed him striking the child," the police report says.

Driver is charged with deprivation of a minor and child cruelty.

Holmes, who reportedly made a video confession to police, is charged with aggravated battery, simply battery and cruelty to children.

The 21-month-old child is clinging to his life at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, police said.

Image courtesy of Cobb County Sheriff's Office