A Cobb County man was convicted Wednesday of first-degree child cruelty for repeatedly whipping a toddler over potty training.
Andrew Charles Pride, 31, is set to be sentenced Thursday and could be put behind bars for up to 20 years for whipping a 22-month old boy on his genitals, causing bleeding and welts. Pride’s relationship to the child was not disclosed.
“This wasn’t an accident,” Assistant District Attorney Chuck Boring said. “This was malicious, and it was all because of potty training. Mr. Pride struck a 22-month-old baby in the groin multiple times because he wouldn’t pee in the potty. This man’s actions are the definition of malice.”
Evidence presented at trial this week showed the whipping took place in August 2012 at an Austell residence.
Although Pride was convicted of one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, the jury deadlocked on a second charge. That charge stemmed from claims that Pride had enticed an older child to claim responsibility for the toddler’s beating.
Superior Court Judge Rob Leonard will sentence Pride sentencing at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
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