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Tyler James Sponge (Cherokee County Sheriffs Office)

CANTON, Ga. – A Cherokee County man has been sentenced to 37 years and 17 in prison for abusing a deaf and nonverbal 3-year-old.

Tyler James Esponge, 38, was convicted of first-degree child cruelty, aggravated battery and assault in August. He was sentenced on October 16.

In addition to jail time and probation, Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Tony Baker ordered that Esponge be prohibited from having contact with the victim or any other child under the age of 18.

The abuse was first noticed on February 10, 2021, when a nurse at Kennestone Hospital alerted authorities to possible abuse after treating the child, who had a buckle fracture to his right femur, bite marks on his shoulder and ankle, petechiae below left. arm and bruises on arms, legs and right eye. Canton Police Department investigators determined the child had been left alone with Esponge while her mother was at work. Unable to verbally identify her assailant, the child’s case relied heavily on forensic evidence, which revealed male DNA in the saliva found on the bite marks.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rachel Hines of the Special Victims Unit highlighted the extent of the victim’s vulnerabilities. “This little girl was deaf, nonverbal, and completely dependent on others. Instead of protecting and caring for her, this defendant exploited her vulnerabilities and defenselessness,” Hines said. “Thankfully, medical professionals recognized signs of child abuse and alerted law enforcement, saving her from further abuse.”

A jury convicted Esponge of all charges after a three-day trial. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Esponge had a history of abusing the girl over the past two years and committed child abuse more than a decade ago involving another child. The case featured testimony from 10 witnesses, including law enforcement officers, medical professionals, a forensic biologist, DFCS staff and a pediatric and child abuse expert. The prosecution also introduced 29 exhibits into evidence.

During sentencing, the state asked for a 40-year sentence with a minimum of 20 years in prison, while the defense argued for probation with credit for time served. Judge Baker’s final sentence was a 37-year sentence with 17 years in prison followed by probation.

“This sentence protects the victim and all children from further abuse by this defendant,” said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. “It shocks the conscience to imagine the horrific abuse this innocent little girl suffered, made all the more heinous when you consider her inability to verbalize what is happening to her.”

The case was investigated by the Canton Police Department and prosecuted by the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit Special Victims Unit, led by Chief Deputy District Attorney Rachel Hines.