Man Charged with Child Abuse Makes Bond

A South Forsyth County man, arrested on Thursday and charged with aggravated battery and cruelty to children, has been released from the Forsyth County Detention Center.

Jeffrey Andrew Silver, 36, posted bond on a $49,720 bail on Friday, according to a jail spokesperson.

In an interview with Cumming Patch, Major Dan Jagoe with the Criminal Investigation Division of the county Sheriff's Office said Silver's, three-week-old baby girl was taken to a local pediatrician on Wednesday, April 27. After examining the baby, the pediatrician advised that the child be taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Following an examination at the hospital, Scottish Rite officials contacted the Sheriff’s Office.

"That's when we got involved, when they (the family) arrived at the emergency room, and we were contacted by emergency room personnel," said Jagoe.

Investigators said the baby sustained injuries consistent with child abuse on her body.

"She had some bruising to her body, severe bruises to her body and her hands, and that's all I can really say," Jagoe said. "Our investigators responded to the hospital and started looking into it and as a result of that we arrested the father."

The baby remains hospitalized with significant, but non-life threatening injuries at this time, according to a statement from the Sheriff's Office.

The mother of the baby, whose name has not been released, is not expected to face any charges. Jagoe said, at this point, she is not a suspect.

"We believe we have the individual under arrest, who has been charged with it, who is a suspect in this," he said Friday.

Another child, a two-year-old girl, has been taken into protective custody.

"That daughter does not have any injuries and we don't suspect any abuse on her at all," said Jagoe. "But she was taken into protected custody as a precaution."

The Department of Family and Children’s Services (DEFACS) is involved with the case that remains under investigation.

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office investigators said additional charges could be filed.