Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators have charged a husband and wife with felony murder following the death of a toddler they were babysitting.
Detectives arrested Juan Martinez, 31, and Nancy Martinez, 32, both of Gainesville, early Monday morning, October 11, at HCSO headquarters. In addition to the murder charge, they’re each charged with one count of first-degree cruelty to children.
According to the preliminary investigation, between noon and 2 p.m. Sunday, October 10, the couple “caused traumatic brain injury and other internal injuries to the child’s body, resulting in her eventual death,” the sheriff’s office says.
The two-year-old victim, Valeria Jordon Garfias, was in the couple’s care at their residence in the 2000 block of Bennett Circle while her parents were at work.
Hall County Fire Services was dispatched to a medical call at the residence around 1:50 p.m. Sunday. EMS transported Garfias to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville and from there she was flown to a Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital where she later died.
Hospital officials notified investigators because of the nature of the girl’s injuries.
Juan and Nancy Martinez were booked into the Hall County Jail following their arrests. Each is being held without bond.
The body has been sent to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy. The case remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office.
