MARIETTA, GA – Authorities have charged a local man with aggravated assault and multiple counts of child cruelty following the death of his 5-year-old son, who police say was the victim of months of ongoing abuse in their suburban home.

Michael Horn, 31, was taken into custody on Monday along with his girlfriend, Alexiss Eitrem, also 31. Both were booked into the Cobb County Jail, where they remain without bond. Investigators allege that Horn repeatedly beat his young son over a five-month period, while Eitrem is accused of permitting the abuse to continue.

Police responded to a 911 call on Sunday at a residence on Ramona Street. Upon arrival, officers found the 5-year-old unresponsive and displaying injuries consistent with physical abuse. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.

According to arrest warrants, Horn is accused of delivering blows that caused internal bleeding, including injuries to the brain. The documents also indicate that the abuse did not occur in isolation; authorities believe the acts of violence took place in the presence of the couple’s other children.

Detectives working the case say the extent of the trauma observed on the child prompted an immediate and thorough investigation. The warrants allege that Eitrem had knowledge of the ongoing abuse and did nothing to intervene over the course of several months.

Marietta police have not given details about what may have motivated the alleged abuse or what triggered the fatal attack. They did confirm that four other children were present in the home and witnessed the incidents leading up to the boy’s death.

Child welfare services have been notified and are participating in the investigation, ensuring the safety and well-being of the remaining children in the household. Authorities have not disclosed if the children have been placed in protective custody.

Neighbors expressed shock and heartbreak upon learning of the boy’s death. One resident, whose daughter attends school with one of the children living in the home, said the news caused grief throughout the close-knit neighborhood.

Both Horn and Eitrem face five counts of child cruelty each, in addition to Horn’s aggravated assault charge. The case remains under investigation, with prosecutors reviewing the details as the community waits for more answers.

An autopsy is expected to provide additional insight into the cause and manner of the child’s death. The Marietta Police Department is urging anyone with further information about the incident to come forward as they seek justice for the young victim.