There is never an excuse to hurt a child. Abuse and neglect are wrong in every single case, yet some seem more horrific than others. A recent case from Georgia involving a 5-month-old baby is nothing short of barbaric. If her parents, William Issac Dakota King and Amber Marie Rivera, injured her the way investigators say they did, they should never see the light of day again.
Rivera gave birth to her baby girl, Julia, at just 24 weeks of gestation. The infant spent the first four months of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit, fighting for her life. According to a news release from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office posted October 28, King and Rivera brought Julia to the emergency room on August 25, 2025. She’d been home with her parents for about six weeks when they showed up at the ER. An examination reportedly led to a shocking discovery.
“Staff discovered more than 30 broken bones in various stages of healing,” the sheriff’s office noted in the release. “The severity of the injuries prompted an immediate investigation by law enforcement.”
Fox 5 reported that, according to court documents, King and Rivera claimed Julia’s injuries came from a car accident. But the couple never reported an accident and apparently tried to convince a third party to go along with their story, but the person refused. Police ultimately arrested the couple.
The sheriff’s office stated that medical professionals concluded Julia’s injuries were consistent with prolonged abuse. Fox 5 reported that the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services took custody of the baby. Her condition at this time is unknown. King and Rivera appeared in court on October 27.
Each faces at least 18 charges related to Julia’s injuries, including battery, cruelty to children, attempted murder, and obstruction. A judge refused to grant them bond.
Shortly after Julia’s birth, her mother posted photos and a loving message to her baby girl.
“I love you with all my soul your the best thing to ever happen to me u give me a reason to keep going your my heart and soul babygirl me and daddy can’t wait to bring you home,” Rivera wrote.
The post begs the question, what went wrong? How in the world could anyone hurt such a tiny baby? She had no way to defend herself or tell anyone what happened. Babies rely on adults for everything, and if King and Rivera betrayed that beautiful trust, they deserve the harshest penalties.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
