Officer Indicted for Spanking Toddler Until Unconscious: Police

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UPPER MARLBORO, MD — A three-year-old boy was spanked so hard by his mother’s boyfriend -- a Prince George’s County Police officer – that the child suffered a concussion and lost consciousness, court records say.

The officer is now suspended without pay after being indicted by a grand jury Tuesday. Police Officer Francesco Marlett faces charges of child abuse and assault.

According to the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, Marlett was indicted on one count of second-degree child abuse and one count of second-degree assault.

The incident happened while Marlett was off duty at his girlfriend’s home in Upper Marlboro on Dec. 27, 2015.

Marlett was watching the child while the boy’s mother made dinner, and the child soiled the bed. This reportedly angered Marlett, who spanked the boy and caused the child to hit his head against the wall, which knocked the youngster out, FOX DC reports.

When the boy’s mother came into the room, Marlett was performing CPR on the toddler, officials said. The child was treated at Children’s National Medical Center, and has since recovered.

The police department’s Internal Affairs Division launched an investigation after learning of the incident. Marlett’s police powers were first suspended with pay in December.

“This incident shows family violence affects people in every profession, in all walks of life. We take these allegations very seriously,” said Police Chief Hank Stawinski. “The issue of family violence is one we are committed to preventing.”

Marlett has been employed by the department for three years and is assigned to the Bureau of Patrol, District IV.