A man from Cobb County is facing charges after allegedly beating his infant daughter so severely that she had to be hospitalized. According to Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell, the father claims he is not responsible for the beating, stating that his daughter was possessed by evil spirits.
In April, police were called to Juan Hernandez’s home when his baby became unresponsive and was found to have suffered respiratory failures, multiple skull fractures, and other injuries.
Neighbors were shocked by the incident, with one saying, “It’s kind of crazy out of the blue that something like this happened just two houses away.”
Hernandez told police that he believed his baby was possessed, and that he too may have been under the influence of spirits or a bad person who was conducting paranormal activity to make his family suffer told Fox5atlanta.
Hernandez was charged with aggravated battery and child cruelty and has been released on bond. However, some neighbors are concerned about his presence in the community, with one suggesting that he should be institutionalized.
Hernandez has been ordered to stay away from children under the age of 16 while out on bond, and it is unclear if he has any other children.
Witnesses have reported seeing other children playing outside his home, seemingly happy. Newell attempted to reach Hernandez’s attorney for comment but was informed that he was out of town.
