Macon man sentenced to 15 years for child cruelty after infant found covered in burns, bruises
A Macon man has been sentenced to 15 years, with 10 to serve in prison, after pleading guilty to first degree cruelty to children for injuries inflicted on his one-year-old son, according to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon man has been sentenced to 15 years, with 10 to serve in prison, after pleading guilty to first degree cruelty to children for injuries inflicted on his one-year-old son, according to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Timmy Dwayne Kemp, Jr. entered his plea on February 17, just days before his scheduled trial. Prosecutors said Kemp abused the child during a May 2022 weekend visit, leaving him with cigar burns, lacerations, carpet burns and bruises from head to toe. The injuries were discovered when the child was returned to his mother, who reported them to authorities.
Photos: Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office
When questioned, Kemp initially claimed the child had fallen from a kiddie pool. However, medical evidence revealed the injuries were consistent with intentional harm, including multiple burns on the child’s head, back and extremities.
Assistant District Attorney Breanna Foster prosecuted the case. Kemp entered a blind plea but refused to provide details about how the injuries happened. As part of his sentence, he is prohibited from contacting the child or the child’s mother without appropriate legitimization.
“The physical and emotional trauma inflicted on this innocent child represents the darkest kind of betrayal,” Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard said. “ADA Foster’s dedication to securing justice in this case reflects our office’s unwavering commitment to protecting our community’s most vulnerable members. While no sentence can undo the harm this child endured, we hope this resolution provides a measure of protection and allows the healing process to begin.”
At the time of his plea, Kemp was already in custody on unrelated charges, according to the DA’s office.
Bibb County Jail records show the 30-year-old was taken into custody on February 12 and charged with felony failure to appear for a fingerprintable charge.
