A Georgia father is facing murder charges after allegedly leaving his 2-year-old son alone in their apartment for six hours despite the child suffering from a fever and showing signs of severe distress. Lolo Anilus, 39, was arrested after investigators discovered that his young daughter contradicted his claim that he had been home with the boy, who ultimately died in an unchanged diaper.
Background
Officers from the Cobb County Police Department responded to the Legacy at West Cobb Apartments on Favor Road in Marietta shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 3. The call concerned an unconscious toddler. Upon arrival, police found the victim unresponsive. Paramedics transported the boy to a local hospital, where he later died. The apartment complex, located in the 2600 block of the road, became the center of a homicide investigation that revealed disturbing elements of negligence.
The Charges
Anilus has been charged with second-degree murder, child cruelty, and false statements. According to the arrest warrant, the investigation determined that the boy was unable to feed himself, change his diaper, or seek medical treatment on his own. The warrant states that the child exhibited signs of distress, including a fever, mouth pain, and a refusal to eat. Anilus allegedly left the boy "unattended and unsupervised for approximately six hours," which caused "excessive physical and mental pain that resulted in the juvenile male's death." While the warrant notes the negligence, it does not specify the exact medical cause of death.
Key Takeaways
- Lolo Anilus, 39, is accused of second-degree murder and child cruelty in Marietta, Georgia.
- The victim, a 2-year-old boy, was left alone for approximately six hours while suffering from a fever and mouth pain.
- Anilus initially claimed he was home while the child slept, but surveillance video and his daughter’s forensic interview proved he was out.
- The toddler died at the hospital after being found unresponsive and in an unchanged diaper.
- Anilus is currently being held without bond at the Cobb County Jail.
What's Next
Anilus remains in custody as the investigation continues. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 23. Prosecutors will likely rely on the forensic interview with the suspect's young daughter and surveillance footage to dismantle the defense that the father was present during the critical hours the child was left alone.