Teen Arrested in Fairburn Church Attack

FAIRBURN, Ga. - Police have arrested a teenager, who is accused of assaulting a church clerk with a baseball bat in front of her infant child. 

Martha Emory, 52, said she was with her 3-month-old daughter inside the administrative offices at Fairburn United Methodist Church at the time of the attack on November 12. According to the Fairburn Police Department, the suspect knocked on the door and asked to use the phone. Emory allowed him inside.

Police said the suspect went into an adjacent office and used the phone. Shortly after he came back into the clerk's office and struck her repeatedly with a baseball bat while demanding car keys, according to investigators. 

"First thought was 'I'm in trouble' and after the first blow my second thought was 'I cannot lose consciousness, I have to protect my daughter'" Emory told FOX 5's Marissa Mitchell. 

The suspect didn't get any keys or other known items and fled the church on foot. Police said the baby was not injured during the attack. 

The suspect is a juvenile and has been charged with aggravated assault, criminal attempt armed robbery and cruelty to children.