Canton Man Charged With Murder After 2-Year-Old Child Found Unresponsive Dies

CANTON, Ga. – A 22-year-old Canton man has been charged with murder and first-degree cruelty to children following the death of a 2-year-old child, authorities announced Tuesday.

Officers with the Canton Police Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of Cartersville Street at approximately 11:29 a.m. on Aug. 3 after receiving a report of an unresponsive child.

When officers and Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived, they immediately began providing lifesaving aid. The child was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Canton Police Detective Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation and interviewed Celso Edison Vicente Y Vicente, who was identified as the live-in boyfriend of the child’s mother.

According to investigators, detectives developed probable cause during the investigation to obtain arrest warrants for Vicente Y Vicente. Search warrants were also obtained for the residence and a vehicle associated with the case.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit assisted Canton detectives in executing the search warrants.

At approximately 7 p.m. on Aug. 3, Vicente Y Vicente was arrested and charged with malice murder and first-degree cruelty to children.

He was booked into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, where he remains in custody.

The child’s identity has not been released out of respect for the family and because of the sensitive nature of the investigation.

An autopsy will be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the child’s official cause and manner of death.

“The death of a child is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic loss,” Canton Police Chief Marty Ferrell said in a statement. “Our detectives have worked diligently to conduct a thorough and professional investigation. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of this case and allowing the judicial process to move forward.”

Authorities said the investigation remains active. Because the case involves a juvenile victim and pending criminal charges, investigators are not releasing additional information regarding the evidence or circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Detective Erin Fulenwider with the Canton Police Detective Unit at 770-720-4883 or by email at erin.fulenwider@cantonga.gov.