Mother, 18, Charged in 2-Year-Old Son’s Death After Boyfriend Allegedly Struck and ‘Severely’ Beat the Toddler

**Tragic Death of Toddler in Georgia Sparks Investigation and Arrests**

The tragic case of a two-year-old child’s death in Canton, Georgia, has shocked the community and led to criminal charges against both his mother and her boyfriend. The Canton Police Department reported that Devorah Diaz Perez, 18, was arrested over two weeks after the death of her son, marking a disturbing chapter in a case that began on August 3.

Police responded to an emergency call reporting an unresponsive child at a residence on Cartersville Street shortly before midday. Upon arrival, authorities found the toddler unconscious and quickly transported him to a local hospital, where he was unfortunately pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

In the days following this devastating incident, police detectives turned their attention to Celso Edison Vicente Y Vicente, 22, identified as the live-in boyfriend of the child’s mother. Vicente Y Vicente was arrested on the day of the incident after investigators gathered evidence pointing to his involvement in the child’s tragic fate.

According to police reports, Vicente Y Vicente is facing serious charges, including malice murder and cruelty to children in the first degree. Following his arrest, he was placed in custody at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, where he remains awaiting legal proceedings.

Canton Police Chief Marty Ferrell expressed his condolences, stating, “The death of a child is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic loss.” He further remarked on the diligence of the police detectives involved in the case, stressing the importance of protecting the integrity of the investigation.

The investigation soon escalated when evidence led to a warrant being issued for the arrest of Perez. On August 22, authorities arrested her on charges including murder in the second degree, two counts of cruelty to children in the second degree, and three counts of reckless conduct. Like Vicente Y Vicente, she was taken to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

Reports indicate that Vicente Y Vicente was responsible for supervising the child on the day of his death. He allegedly used physical force, which included “severely beating” the toddler with his hands and other unspecified objects. Warrants revealed that the child’s body bore numerous bruises, one of which resembled a shoe print, as well as a “fresh open laceration” on his head.

At present, police have stated that this remains an ongoing criminal investigation. Given the nature of the case and the involvement of a juvenile victim, limited details regarding the evidence and circumstances surrounding the child’s death are being released to the public.

It is expected that a thorough autopsy will be conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner’s Office to ascertain the cause and manner of the child’s death. As the investigation unfolds, community members and authorities alike continue to express their grief over this heartbreaking loss.

For anyone concerned about child welfare or suspecting child abuse, assistance is available through the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453). The hotline operates round the clock and is offered in over 170 languages, ensuring confidentiality and support for those in need.

This tragic incident has underscored the critical importance of vigilance in child welfare and the need for community awareness regarding potential abuse. As further developments arise in this case, the focus remains on seeking justice for the young victim while supporting all those impacted by this heartbreaking event.