YouTube video shows father using restraint on toddler, police say

MARIETTA, Ga. — Police say a YouTube video shows a Cobb County father using a restraint around his toddler's waist to keep him from moving.

A tip led Department of Family and Children’s Services officials to the video. Officials then went to the home to investigate, and say they found unsanitary conditions.

According to the warrant, officers found the child with what appeared to be a seat belt material around his waist. The child's father, Michael Jones, removed the restraint.

But when officers returned to the home on July 31, they say they found the child restrained in a car sea, a foul smell of urine coming from a bathtub, a crib cluttered with junk and a baby bottle and child's cup with particles floating in them and stuck to their sides.

Police arrested Jones, who is in his 70s.

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Neighbor Theresa Harshaw said she was shocked by the accusations.

“He’s been a good dad,” she said.

“So this comes as a real surprise?” Channel 2’s Tom Regan asked her.

“It does,” she said.

“You’ve never known him to be neglectful or abusive?” Regan asked.

“Not to that baby. I don’t know about the other kids, but not to that baby right here,” she said.

She said the father has eight other children, but only the baby lives with him.

Jones is charged with contributing to the depravation of a minor, which is a misdemeanor charge.

Cox Media Group