A Gainesville man and his wife have been charged with murder in the death of a toddler who had been left in their care Sunday.
Hall County Sheriff's Office spokesman Derreck Booth said detectives arrested Juan Martinez, 31, and Nancy Martinez, 32, following the death of 2-year-old Valeria Jordan Garfias.
Booth said emergency responders with Hall County Fire Services found the child unresponsive at a residence on Bennett Circle just before 2 p.m.
"Hall County Fire Services transported the victim to Northeast Georgia Medical Center following the initial medical call about the victim," Booth said. "The child was flown to a Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Hospital where she later died."
Given the nature of the child's injuries, investigators were notified. Booth said the little girl had traumatic brain injury and other internal injuries, although he declined more specific details until an autopsy can be completed. He had no timeline for the availability of those results.
Booth said the child had been left in the care of the Martinezes while her parents went to work. He said the two couples knew one another but the extent of their relationship was unclear.
Booth also said the minor children of Juan and Nancy Martinez were home at the time the toddler was injured.
"Those children have since been taken in by the Hall County Division of Family and Children's Services," Booth said.
Juan and Nancy Martiez each have been charged with felony murder and cruelty to children in the first degree.
