A Gainesville woman is facing charges after allegedly assaulting and a young child earlier this year.
Gainesville Police Lt. Kevin Holbrook said Abby Elizabeth Chosewood, age 23, was arrested and booked into the Hall County Jail on Friday. He said the alleged incident occurred when she was babysitting the 1-year-old child in February at a home on Springview Drive.
"It's believed that this child received suffocation and/or strangulation, which did cause some very serious injuries to the child," Holbrook said.
Holbrook said the child was taken by its family to a children's hospital for treatment and has since recovered.
The Division of Family and Children's Services referred the case to Gainesville police, who then began an investigation. That led to charges being filed against Chosewood five months later.
"Many times in cases like this we have to subpoena medical records, we have to conduct follow-up investigations. It's one of those where we knew that the child was receiving the care that it needed and it was no longer in jeopardy of being injured, so we were able to take some time on the investigation," Holbrook said. "Once investigators determined they had enough evidence and information, they charged Chosewood immediately."
Chosewood faces charges of felony aggravated assault and felony first-degree cruelty to children. She bonded out of jail on Monday afternoon, three days after being arrested.
Holbrook said the investigation into the case is still open.
"There is the possibility of further charges," Hobrook said. "As always, anyone that has had any contact with Chosewood or has had Chosewood as a caregiver, if you've noticed anything or seen anything, please contact the Gainesville Police Department."
