SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. — A Walton County man has been arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse after a four-year-old boy was found injured in neighboring Okaloosa County, investigators said.
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Jamal Marquise Allen, 30, was taken into custody Thursday by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Task Force. Mr Allen is charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse and remains jailed in Walton County on a $100,000 bond.
According to investigators, the boy, a family member of Mr. Allen, had been staying at Allen’s home on Exuma Way in Santa Rosa Beach. While there, Mr Allen allegedly beat the child with a belt and a clothes hanger one day and then used a phone charging cord to strike the boy again the next day.
After the child was returned to another relative’s home in Okaloosa County, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of possible abuse. Deputies said they found multiple welts on the boy’s body and began an investigation.
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Once it was determined the alleged abuse occurred in Walton County, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office notified WCSO, which secured a warrant and brought in the U.S. Marshals Task Force to assist.
“The abuse of a defenseless child is heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr.
“We are grateful to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and to the U.S. Marshals Task Force for their assistance in making this arrest. Justice for this young boy is our top priority.”
Mr Allen was located and arrested without incident, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said.
