Bibb County Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Beating Toddler With Belt

MACON, Georgia – A Bibb County jury has convicted a man accused of beating a one-year-old child with a belt while caring for the child and her siblings.

Prosecutors said 35-year-old Willie Clyde Brown Jr. was found guilty May 12 of cruelty to children in the second degree.

According to investigators, Brown had been entrusted to watch the children while their mother was at work.

The abuse was discovered after staff members at the child’s daycare noticed bruising on the toddler’s inner thigh and contacted the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services and law enforcement.

Authorities said Brown later admitted to the abuse through text messages and again while testifying in court, although prosecutors said he attempted to downplay the seriousness of his actions.

Jurors rejected Brown’s explanation and returned a guilty verdict.

Prosecutors requested a 10-year prison sentence, and the court sentenced Brown to 10 years with credit for time already served.