Marietta Parents Arrested After 5-Year-Old Dies Following Emergency Call

MARIETTA, Ga. – Two Marietta parents have been arrested and charged with multiple felonies following the death of their 5-year-old son after an emergency call to 911, according to the Marietta Police Department.

Cobb County 911 received a call from a residence in the 400 block of Ramona Street just after 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Both parents were on the call and reported they had been performing CPR on their unresponsive son, who was not breathing.

Police, fire crews, and Metro Ambulance were dispatched immediately. Marietta police and fire personnel arrived at the home at the same time and found the family inside with the child lying unresponsive on the floor. Firefighters took over CPR from the child’s father and continued emergency medical efforts.

The child was transported by ambulance to Kennestone Hospital and later airlifted to Arthur M. Blank Hospital in Atlanta. Despite continued medical intervention, the child remained unresponsive and on life support. He was pronounced dead just before 11 a.m. Monday.

Based on evidence collected at the scene and initial statements, Marietta Police Department detectives initiated a criminal investigation. Warrants were secured Monday morning charging both parents with a total of 12 felony counts. Both were arrested and booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services was notified and took custody of the couple’s four other children.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional or upgraded charges are likely.

Alexiss Eitrem, 31, of Marietta, is charged on warrant 26-W-858 with five counts of cruelty to children in the second degree, all felonies.

Michael Horn, 31, of Marietta, is charged on warrant 26-W-857 with aggravated battery, aggravated assault, cruelty to children in the first degree, and four counts of cruelty to children in the second degree, all felonies.