Man Arrested in Connection with 5-Month Old's Death

On February 25, 2011 Fayette County Sheriff’s Investigator’s arrested Steven Anthony Haire, 22, of Franklin in connection with the death of Zachery Freeman, 5 months old, related to an incident that occurred at a residence on West Lane in north Fayette County. Fayette Investigator’s have charged Haire with Cruelty to Children in the First Degree where additional charges are expected.

On February 21, 2011 Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Fayette County EMS responded to a home on West Lane in reference to a 5 month old child who was not breathing. Haire told Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies that the child stopped breathing after he laid the child down with a bottle to take a nap.

Emergency workers who responded to the incident location performed CPR on the 5 month old who was then transported to Piedmont Fayette Hospital and later life flighted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Hospital. The five month old was placed on life support when he arrived at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. On February 25 the child was taken off of life support and died at 7:01 PM.

Fayette Investigator’s working with the doctor’s at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta determined that the child’s injuries were not consistent with the statements given by Haire at the time of the incident. Haire was later arrested in connection with the child’s death where he is currently in the Fayette County Jail.