Man Guilty of Breaking 3-Year-Old Boy's Jaw

A man found guilty of striking and breaking the jaw of a 3-year-old boy three years ago received a lengthy sentence last week in a Gwinnett County courtroom.

Johnny Lee Anderson of Norcross was convicted Friday of first-degree cruelty to children and aggravated battery, and was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 12 in prison, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office said in a new release.

He also must complete anger management class.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the mother took the child to Saint Joseph’s Hospital with head injuries. The child, who is the nephew of Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas, had been in the care of the mother’s cousin and another male, the district attorney’s office said.

Due to the severity of his injuries, the boy was transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite, where he was diagnosed with a broken jaw. He also had swelling and bruising to both eyes, prosecutors said.

More from Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office news release

When asked who injured him, the child stated that the defendant, who shared an apartment with the two women as well as another male, was the one who gave him “ouchies.”

When interviewed by police, the defendant stated that he did not believe that he “disciplined” the child to the extent of the child’s injuries, while acknowledging he struck the child in the head.

The child’s mother has entered a non-negotiated plea to second-degree cruelty to children, based on negligence, the DA’s office said. She will be sentenced Friday, Sept. 25.