On Sunday, an unsettling instance of alleged child cruelty emerged from Polk County, as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) apprehended 37-year-old William Leviticus Self, a resident of Cedartown, GA. According to a press release from the GBI, Self is facing charges on three counts of cruelty to children.
The Polk County Police Department placed the request for an investigation by the GBI on Valentine's Day of this year after allegations surfaced that Self had subjected his children to an act of violence against a family pet, a scene in which he allegedly forced the children to watch. The details of this case, including the nature of the abuse, have shaken the local community to the core, and many are demanding justice for the apparent psychological harm inflicted upon the children. Self was subsequently booked into, the Polk County Jail.
State officials' investigation remains active and ongoing as they work to construct a case against Self. While the evidence is gathered and the legal process takes its course, the authorities are calling on anyone with information that could support their investigation to step forward. Members of the public can contact the Polk County Police Department at 770-748-7331 or lodge a tip with the GBI’s regional office in Calhoun at 706-624-1424.
In a versatile effort to engage the public and collect critical evidence, the GBI advertises multiple avenues for submitting information anonymously, including a tip line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), an online submission form, and a smartphone app, "See Something, Send Something." Once the full extent of the investigation comes to light, and the case file is finalized, it will be handed over to the Polk County District Attorney's Office.
