Woman put toddler on dog leash and gave him weed, GA deputies say. She’s charged
A woman faces child cruelty charges after video showed her pulling a toddler by a dog leash, among other mistreatment, according to Georgia deputies.
The 24-year-old from Alto was the subject of a child cruelty investigation in December after the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office learned “abusive activities” had occurred at a home in Hall County, authorities said in an April 14 news release.
The agency contacted the Hall County Sheriff’s Office to investigate further.
During an investigation, Hall County deputies said they “found evidence” that the woman gave the toddler a marijuana joint and let him smoke it.
McClatchy News isn’t naming the woman to protect the child’s identity, and authorities declined to comment on the suspect’s relationship to the victim.
The woman was arrested Feb. 6 and charged with reckless conduct, Hall County deputies said. She posted a $1,300 bond and was released from jail the next day.
Authorities also secured warrants for the woman’s cell phone and Snapchat account, and found photos and video of the child hogtied with yarn and belts, according to deputies.
“Additionally, they discovered a video of the boy with a dog leash around his neck, which was being pulled by the suspect, constricting the child’s neck,” deputies said in the release.
Authorities arrested the woman again at her home April 11 on a felony first-degree child cruelty charge, authorities said. She was taken to jail and released April 12 after posting a $11,200 bond, according to deputies.
The child’s condition wasn’t known as of April 16.
Alto is about a 70-mile drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.
This story was originally published April 16, 2025 at 9:52 AM with the headline "Woman put toddler on dog leash and gave him weed, GA deputies say. She’s charged."