A former Bartow County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested following a Georgia Bureau of Investigation inquiry into allegations of child abuse.

The GBI announced that Andrew Sean Williams, 31, of Taylorsville, has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery.

According to the GBI, the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office requested the agency investigate the case on July 10 after receiving allegations of physical abuse involving a child.

Investigators say the child was found walking along a street by law enforcement officers and was taken to the local Division of Family and Children Services office. Authorities later identified the child and the child’s parents.

During the investigation, agents determined there was evidence indicating the child had been struck multiple times by Williams, resulting in minor injuries.

Williams was arrested on July 15 and booked into the Bartow County Jail.

The GBI says the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Tip Line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), submit information online through the GBI website, or use the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.