Clevaland Man Charged With Cruelty to Children

CLEVELAND, Ga. – James Edward Martin, 44, of Cleveland was arrested by the White County Sheriff’s Office last week and charged with first degree cruelty to children after the child’s grandmother reported to a school counselor the child,13, had been beaten repeatedly with an electric cord.

According to the arrest report, the counselor observed multiple marks and bruises all over the child’s body and contacted authorities. The victim reported that the stepmother, Dusti Martin, was at the residence when the incident occurred but despite cries for help, did not intervene.

James Martin’s bond was set at $10,000. Dusti Martin is charged with failure to report child abuse. Her bond was set at $1,000.