Father accused of branding child with heat gun appears in court
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A father accused of branding a child with a heat gun appeared in court Tuesday. A Gwinnett County judge found enough evidence against Tory Gentry to move the case over to Superior Court.
According to a Gwinnett County Police arrest warrant, Gentry "maliciously caused bodily harm" to Zayden Gentry by branding him, causing a "large burn on his side."
The 36-year-old man looked on in court as a Gwinnett County Police detective detailed the evidence investigators gathered in the shocking crime.
"They never sought medical treatment for the burn they were trying to put creams stuff like that to help the healing," the detective testifying Tuesday said.
The detective said when he interviewed them, Gentry and his wife claimed their child's injuries were accidental, but a child abuse expert who reviewed the baby's case drew a troubling conclusion.
"She told me his injuries were consistent with child abuse," the detective said.
The Gwinnett County father accused of branding his child with a heat gun sometime between June and November of last year, disfiguring the child.
"Burn mark on the side consistent with a brand," the detective said.
The warrant also said that Zayden came into the custody of Georgia's Division of Family and Child Services with "multiple unexplained rib fractures" and "unexplained bruises."
"Tory showed me the heat gun. I took a couple pictures of the heat gun it matched the front of the heat gun it was almost a perfect circle," the detective said.
According to jail records, Gentry was booked into jail on January 7 without bond. He has been charged with first-degree cruelty to children and aggravated battery.
No bond was discussed during Tuesday's court hearing.