Friday March 29th, 2024 9:17AM

Deputies: Hall County couple beat child, forced him to carry heavy items in hot weather

A man and woman from Hall County are facing charges for allegedly beating a child, causing "severe bruising" to the child's backside, and forcing him to carry heavy buckets in the hot weather, without letting him get a drink of water.

Crystal Williams, 33, and Jeffery Lee Williams, 43, both of Gainesville, were arrested Thursday in connection to multiple incidents over the summer that were brought to the Hall County Sheriff's Office's attention by the Department of Family and Children Services.

Between June 1 and August 17, Jeffery Williams "forced the child to carry heavy loaded buckets and tires across the yard of the residence in hot weather while withholding water from him," said Lt. Scott Ware, Hall County Sheriff's Office spokesman.

On June 15, Crystal Williams allegedly beat the child with a paddle, causing severe and visible bruising on the child's buttocks and thigh areas.

A little over a month later, on August 16, Crystal Williams allegedly beat the child with a paddle again, causing another round of severe bruising to his back, kidney area and buttocks.

The same day, Jeffery Lee Williams allegedly beat the boy, causing him to fall against a stone fire pit, resulting in multiple bruises to the boy's leg and thigh.

Crystal Williams is charged with two counts of first-degree child cruelty. Jeffery Lee Williams is charged with one count of first-degree child cruelty and one count of second-degree child cruelty.

Both suspects were booked into the Hall County Detention Center.

The child is in the custody of his biological father.

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