Pike County Jury Convicts Parents of Baby’s Severe Abuse

A Pike County jury convicted Tarilyn Allie Lester Alexander and Joseph Tyler Alexander on May 9, 2024, for the severe physical abuse inflicted on their baby over weeks. The District Attorney’s office, led by Marie Broder, brought forward charges of four counts of first-degree child cruelty and eight counts of aggravated battery against the couple.

The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the infant’s condition. Born prematurely, the baby spent his initial days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Following his release, he endured nearly seven weeks under his parents’ care, during which he sustained 11 broken bones, hemorrhages in his eyes, and extensive bruising on his face and genitals.

Officials described the abuse as “horrific” and recurring. Despite questioning, the Alexanders failed to provide any plausible explanation for their child’s injuries. Medical experts from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta attributed the injuries to deliberate harm rather than accidental causes.

During the investigation, the parents attempted to argue that the baby’s condition was due to hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. However, medical witnesses called by the State, including physicians from prominent Georgia hospitals, unanimously refuted this claim, emphasizing that abuse was the only plausible explanation for the injuries.

After hours of deliberation, the jury found the Alexanders guilty on 12 out of 16 counts. They were subsequently sentenced to 18 months in jail, followed by 15 years of probation. Despite the severity of their crimes, the couple will be permitted to have contact with their son upon their release from prison.