News
News

5-month-old found after being taken from a northwest Georgia hotel

Rome police say kidnapping charges are pending against the noncustodial father of the child.
A 5-month-old infant was found after the noncustodial father took the child from a Rome hotel, police say. (Courtesy of the Rome Police Department)

Credit: (Courtesy of the Rome Police Department)

Credit: (Courtesy of the Rome Police Department)

A 5-month-old infant was found after the noncustodial father took the child from a Rome hotel, police say. (Courtesy of the Rome Police Department)
By
Jan 1, 2026

Rome police said early Thursday morning that kidnapping charges are pending against a father for taking his 5-month-old child when he did not have custody rights of the child.

Julion Mazzo, 23, took his son from the OYO Hotel on Shorter Avenue around 4:40 a.m., a Rome police spokesperson said.

Around 6:20 a.m., police reported the child was located safely. A Rome police spokesperson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the baby was reunited with his mother, who has custody of him, about an hour later.

ExploreAJC ePaper will continue familiar format for subscribers

About the Author

Caleb Groves is a general assignment reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's politics team and a Kennesaw State University graduate.

More Stories

Keep Reading

FILE - Joseph McGettigan III, Pennsylvania senior deputy attorney general arrives at the Centre County Courthouse for the second day of the testimony in the trial of former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, Tuesday, June, 12, 2012 in Bellefonte, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Credit: AP

Joseph McGettigan, prosecutor in Jerry Sandusky and John du Pont cases, dies at 76

Joseph McGettigan III, a Pennsylvania prosecutor known for convicting Jerry Sandusky and John du Pont, has died at the age of 76

2-year-old critically injured in deadly Rockdale shooting, deputies say

A 2-year-old child was critically injured and a man killed himself during a domestic incident in Rockdale County, the sheriff’s office said Friday.

Jury seated in trial for ex-officer accused in police response to Uvalde school shooting

A Texas judge has seated a jury in the trial of a former school police officer who was part of the hesitant law enforcement response to the Uvalde school shooting in 2022

The Latest

This is going on my 2026 vision board.

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

AJC Peachtree Road Race updates: Time to reset

A.M. ATL: Protect your energy

A.M. ATL: Sorry, BRB

Featured

Young Thug performs during a free concert outside of the Fulton County Courthouse on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Atlanta. Several items were seized from the rapper’s home after his 2022 arrest on gang and racketeering charges. (Prince Williams/WireImage 2025)

Credit: WireImage

Fani Willis’ office misled court, delayed Young Thug’s assets, judge says

A judge told Fulton County prosecutors they have until 5 p.m. Friday to return the rapper’s stuff.

Gullah Geechee face new development, tax challenges on Sapelo Island

Sapelo Island’s Gullah Geechee residents face new obstacles to rein in development on their Georgia barrier island even as they hope to win a zoning referendum this month.

‘Musty’ Atlanta water creates pain point for metro area restaurants

Musty tap water in metro Atlanta is linked to algae in Lake Lanier, impacting restaurants, coffee, fountain drinks and more.