Georgia father charged with torturing 5-year-old son to death

Girlfriend also charged for failing to stop the abuse over 5-month period

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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A 31-year-old Georgia man named Michael Horn has been charged with aggravated assault and five counts of child cruelty after allegedly subjecting his 5-year-old son to beatings that amounted to torture over a five-month period, leading to the boy's death. Horn's 31-year-old girlfriend, Alexiss Eitrem, is also facing five counts of child cruelty for allegedly allowing the repeated abuse to continue without intervening.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the need for greater awareness and intervention in cases of suspected child abuse, as well as the importance of holding both perpetrators and bystanders accountable for failing to protect vulnerable children. The death of this young boy has shaken the local community and raised questions about how such prolonged abuse could have gone undetected.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a 911 call on Sunday and found the 5-year-old boy unresponsive at a home in Marietta, Georgia. The boy was rushed to the hospital but died on Wednesday. Authorities said the boy had obvious signs of trauma and abuse. Warrants allege that Horn "inflicted blunt force trauma" on the boy, leading to internal bleeding, while Eitrem "knowingly allowed repeated beatings and torture" over the course of approximately five months. The abuse allegedly occurred in front of the couple's four other children.

  • On Sunday, police responded to a 911 call and found the 5-year-old boy unresponsive.
  • The boy died at the hospital on Wednesday.

The players

Michael Horn

A 31-year-old Georgia man charged with aggravated assault and five counts of child cruelty for allegedly torturing his 5-year-old son over a five-month period, leading to the boy's death.

Alexiss Eitrem

The 31-year-old girlfriend of Michael Horn, who is facing five counts of child cruelty for allegedly allowing the repeated abuse of the 5-year-old boy to continue without intervening.

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What they’re saying

“This 5-year-old who is now deceased had visible injuries that didn't seem right.”

— Chuck McPhilamy, Marietta Police Officer (WAGA)

“I got chills all over my body. She said that was her best friend. My heart goes out. I mean, it's a child. I don't know what else to say, but God be with him.”

— Shirley Jones, Neighbor (WAGA)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to grant bail for Michael Horn and Alexiss Eitrem.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the critical need for greater awareness, reporting, and intervention in cases of suspected child abuse. It also raises questions about how such prolonged abuse could have gone undetected, and the importance of holding both perpetrators and bystanders accountable to protect vulnerable children.