Mom charged with child cruelty after toddler missed 25 doctor appointments

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — A Hall County mother is facing child cruelty charges in a case involving her young daughter.

Deputies said 27-year-old Zaira Zarate was arrested on Nov. 18 and charged with second-degree cruelty to children.

According to the initial investigation, between January and October of 2019, Zarate failed to provide the victim, 4 at the time, with proper medical treatment.

Zarate missed more than 25 doctor’s appointments for the little girl and a year of physical therapy, deputies said.

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The young girl also suffered an injury that went untreated, investigators said. The sheriff’s office said its investigation involved numerous interviews as well as forensics and records.

Deputies were first notified about the neglect on Oct. 30, 2019, shortly after the Hall County Division of Family and Children Services removed the girl from the home.

The child has remained in DFCS custody.

Zarate is currently at the Hall County Jail.

Cox Media Group