A Cherokee County judge sentenced a 37-year-old Ball Ground man to two life sentences plus 19 years for sexually abusing a child he knew for about a year.
What Happened: Zachery Allan Maltman was found guilty on August 27 by a Cherokee County jury. Judge Jennifer Davis handed down the sentence on September 29. The crimes included aggravated sexual battery, aggravated child molestation, and child molestation.
The victim’s mother reported the abuse to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office in September 2022. The child, who was under 16, knew Maltman and saw him regularly. She told investigators the abuse went on for about a year.
The Victim’s Words: During sentencing, the victim’s mother shared what her daughter told her about the abuse. Maltman had said to the child: “You can cry, but cry quietly.”
“These six little words play through my head regularly, every day,” the mother said. “That night will forever be burned into my memory. That was the night she took on a man she had been so extremely afraid of. I’ll forever be proud of her for that.”
Maximum Sentence: Prosecutor Meaghan Frankish asked the judge for the harshest punishment possible. She pointed to Maltman’s refusal to take responsibility and his attempts to manipulate witnesses.
“He preyed upon a child who trusted him and looked up to him because he knew she would keep his secret,” Frankish said. “But she was finally able to disclose to someone who made her feel safe, which took a level of strength no child should have to muster.”
Understanding Grooming: Child abusers often use a process called grooming to hide their crimes. This means they build trust with the child and their family first. They may give gifts, offer special attention, and slowly isolate the child. They make the child feel special before introducing sexual contact.
Children who have been groomed often feel confused about the abuser because a positive relationship was built first. This makes them more likely to keep the abuse secret and wait longer to tell someone.
What It Means For You: If you suspect a child is being abused, you can call Child Protective Services at 855-422-4453. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
