A detective with the Savannah Police Department has been arrested following a brief investigation into child abuse allegations by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI says it was requested by the Savannah Police Department shortly before 9:30 p.m. on May 15. The agency needed assistance with a child abuse investigation.
The state law enforcement agency said Monday that a preliminary investigation found that 32-year-old Vincent Miller of Savannah was at a neighbor’s house when he was caught on camera ‘physically abusing a two year old child.’ Miller, who was off-duty at the time, punctured the child with an unknown object, according to the GBI press release.
Miller was arrested and charged with one count of first degree Cruelty to Children.
The Savannah Police Department said Monday that it is conducting its own internal investigation on the matter involving Miller, who has been with the agency for seven years. In a statement, the agency said:
“Savannah Police Department is launching an internal investigation following the recent arrest of an officer.
On May 15 officers were called to a Savannah residence regarding an SPD officer who had been involved in suspicious acts against a child. SPD responded and contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation immediately upon learning details of the claims made by the child’s parent. The GBI began an investigation resulting in the officer, Cpl. Vincent Miller, being arrested May 16 on a charge of cruelty to children – first degree.
While the GBI continues to investigate the incident, SPD’s Internal Affairs Division has launched an internal investigation. Miller, 32, will be on administrative leave while the internal investigation is ongoing.
Miller’s bond has been set at $5,150. As of the close of business Monday, he had not yet bonded out. He will appear in court on July 6.
The GBI says the investigation is active and ongoing. Once it is complete, the case will be submitted to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
