Marietta Parents Charged in Son's Death

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Marietta Police have arrested the parents of a 5-year-old boy who died after being on life support. The parents, Alexiss Eitrem and Michael Horn, have been charged with various counts of child cruelty and abuse related to their son's death.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the ongoing issue of child abuse and neglect, and the need for stronger protections and support systems to prevent such incidents. The death of a young child is always deeply concerning, and the charges against the parents raise questions about the circumstances leading to this tragedy.

The details

According to police, officers were called to the family's home on Ramona Street around 6 p.m. on Sunday, where the parents told dispatch they had attempted CPR on their unresponsive son for several minutes. First responders found the child unconscious and took him to the hospital, where he was later airlifted to Atlanta. Despite efforts to save him, the boy was pronounced dead on Wednesday. Police say their investigation led to the arrest of the parents, with Eitrem charged with second-degree cruelty to children and Horn charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault, first-degree cruelty to children, and four counts of second-degree cruelty to children.

• The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2026.
• The boy was pronounced dead around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
• The parents were arrested on Monday, February 10, 2026.

What’s next

The judge will determine if the charges against the parents will be upgraded as the investigation continues.