Prince George's Co. officer indicted for alleged abuse of his girlfriend's 3-year-old child

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - Prince George's County Police Officer Francesco Marlett is accused of beating his girlfriend's 3-year-old child unconscious after the child supposedly made him angry. A Grand Jury returned an indictment against Marlett for second-degree child abuse Tuesday afternoon.

"There is no excuse for Officer Marlett's actions," Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said. "No matter what may have happened, striking a defenseless child and causing this type of injury is never acceptable."

According to officials, Marlett was watching the child while his girlfriend was making dinner, and at some point during that time, the child spoiled the bed. This angered Marlett, and investigators say he began to spank the child, causing the child to hit his head against the wall and lose consciousness. .

When the child's mother came into the room to see what was happening, the child was unconscious and Marlett was performing CPR, according to investigators. The child was ultimately transported to Children's National Medical Center, where he was treated for a concussion and a bruise above his eye. He has since recovered.

Marlett has been suspended from the force without pay, pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. His initial court date has not been set.