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Gainesville woman accused of beating 12-year-old with cell phone charger, denying food

The woman referred to the boy as “an inmate,” according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office
Credit: Hall County Sheriff's Office
Katie Lynn LeVake is facing child abuse charges after allegedly beating a 12-year-old with a phone charger, withholding food and confining him in a home.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A Gainesville woman is facing child cruelty charges after allegedly beating a 12-year-old boy with a cell phone charger and strangling him.

Katie Lynn LeVake, 35, is also accused of withholding food from the boy and restricting him to a room in a home on Poplar Springs Drive. According to investigators, she also referred to the boy as “an inmate,” according to the Hall County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation began in late Nov. 2018 when deputies received a referral about alleged abuse from the Georgia Division of Family and Child Services. Detectives obtained a warrant to arrest LeVake on Jan. 9 and arrested her the following day.

According to the preliminary report, LeVake struck the boy with a cell phone charger, causing severe bruises and lacerations on his leg. Police said LeVake also placed her hands around the child’s throat and strangled him, causing him not to be able to breathe.

RELATED: 18-year-old Hall County man charged with 54 counts of child sex exploitation

Police believe the abuse happened between Sept. 1 and Nov. 27, 2018. LeVake is behind bars in Hall County Jail and has been denied bond.

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