S. Hall man accused of abusing his son

A Flowey Branch man was jailed a couple of days ago on charges that he abused his son while he had custody of him over the Labor Day weekend.

FLOWERY BRANCH POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE:

“On September 3…a mother accompanied by her 4-year-old son approached the
Flowery Branch Police Department to report concerning injuries observed on her child.

The mother, who shares custody of her two children with estranged husband Matthew
Carothers, 32, expressed alarm upon picking up her children after a scheduled
visitation.

The children visited their father from August 29 to September 3…at an address on
Sleepy Lagoon Way in Flowery Branch. Upon retrieving her son from Mr. Carothers, the
mother noticed severe bruising on (the child’s) lower back and buttocks. Flowery Branch Police
Officers confirmed the presence of the bruising during their initial assessment.

In response to these allegations, Flowery Branch Police Investigators launched an in-
depth investigation, gathering evidence and establishing probable cause. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued for Mr. Carothers on September 30…

Mr. Carothers voluntarily surrendered to the Hall County Detention Center Monday…and has been charged with a single count of Cruelty to Children in the First
Degree…”