Marietta Parents Charged In Son's Death

MARIETTA, GA — The parents of a 5-year-old boy are facing multiple charges in connection with the death of their son Sunday in the 400 block of Ramona Street, Marietta Police said, releasing limited details Tuesday.

Officers were called around 6 p.m. to Ramona. Police said the boy's parents told dispatch they attempted CPR on their son "for several minutes" and that he was unresponsive and not breathing.

First responders arrived to find the child laying on the floor unresponsive, police said. Responding firefighters took over CPR from the boy’s father; but ultimately, police said the boy had to be taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.

He was then airlifted to Arthur M. Blank Hospital in Atlanta, police said. They added "despite everyone’s attempts," the boy remained unresponsive while on life support.

Police said he was pronounced dead around 11 a.m. Wednesday. A cause of death is unknown.

"Based on an abundance of evidence, as well as statements initially collected, MPD detectives were called in to begin a criminal investigation," police said in a news release, announcing an investigation into parental abuse.

On Monday morning, police said warrants were secured to charge the couple in connection with their son's death. They were arrested and booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, police said.

Alexiss Eitrem, 31, of Marietta, was arrested on charges of second-degree cruelty to children, police said.

Michael Horn, 31, of Marietta, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, first-degree cruelty to children and four counts of second-degree cruelty to children, police said.

"This is an ongoing investigation, and based on evidence, it is likely that the charges taken Monday will be upgraded," police said in the release.

The Division of Family and Children Services has custody of the couple's other four children, police said.