Two correctional officers charged with cruelty to children, violation of oath

Two correctional officers for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice in Midland face felony charges after their arrests on Friday.

The officers were identified as Johnny Walton, 30, and Marquis Joaquell Taylor, 31, both of Columbus . Taylor was taken into custody at 2:45 p.m. on Decatur Street and charged with one count of cruelty to children second degree, failure to report suspected child abuse and violation of oath.

Walton was charged with cruelty to children third degree, cruelty to children first degree, battery with physical harm, influencing a witness and assault under the color of office. Under state law, the charge is filed against any officer who shall assault or beat any individual under color of his office or without a lawful justification.

Taylor was released from the Muscogee County Jail on bonds totaling $9,000 and Walton was freed after posting bonds totaling $21,000.

The Muscogee Youth Development Campus is located on Chattsworth Road in Midland where the site is shared with the Judge Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center. The facility houses medium to low risk youth who are incarcerated for the first time.

The director of the campus was unavailable for comment on Saturday.

This story was originally published August 19, 2017 at 12:51 PM with the headline "Two correctional officers charged with cruelty to children, violation of oath."