David Hart

Name:
Hart, David Neal

Date of Booking:
08/25/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Battery- Family Violence (1st offense) MISD

Aggravated Assault (Family Violence)

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on August 24, 2026]

On Monday, August 24th, 2025, at approximately 2229 hrs, I was dispatched to [1000 BLOCK] Maggie Dr in reference to a Domestic Dispute. I responded with Code 1 (non-emergency) because I was in close proximity to the location. The caller informed dispatch that a male party had pushed her onto the bed and put his hands around her throat. The caller also mentioned that there were juveniles in the residence.

Upon arrival, I spoke with the complainant, Mrs. [VICTIM #1], who had just exited the residence. She informed me that her boyfriend, Mr. David Hart, had been drinking in the garage while watching their two-year-old child. When he came back inside, she noticed he appeared to have been drinking and asked for permission to take a shower, to which she agreed.

After a few minutes, Mrs. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Hart entered the bathroom and began yelling at her for taking too long. She explained that she had only been in the shower for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. During this confrontation, he called her derogatory names such as “bit*h” and “cu*t,” demanding that she get out of the shower.

After exiting the shower, a few minutes passed, and she began to hear her son crying in his bedroom. She informed me that she was reluctant to go comfort him because she had “gotten in trouble” the last time she did. She then asked Mr. Hart to calm their son down, but received no response. Afterwards, she laid on the bed and began going through Mr. Hart’s cellphone. She stated that he noticed this, grabbed her right arm, and began twisting it to retrieve the phone, which he did. After getting the cellphone back, he pushed her onto the bed and placed his right hand on the left side of her throat, causing noticeable redness that I observed while on the scene. Dispatch was informed to send a medical unit in reference to a possible strangulation. I took photos of Mrs. [VICTIM #1]’s throat, right arm, and left arm for documentation purposes, and those photos were sent to Deputy Hernandez.

I then asked if she would be willing to make a written statement regarding the sequence of events that occurred inside the residence, to which she agreed. Medical personnel arrived on the scene and began assessing Mrs. [VICTIM #1] next to my patrol vehicle, while her two-year-old son watched a show in the back seat with the door open.

At this time, I observed Deputy Hernandez exit the residence, and I informed him of what Mrs. [VICTIM #1] had told me. Deputy Hernandez mentioned that Mr. Hart wasn’t being very forthcoming regarding what had transpired in the residence. I brought to his attention the markings and redness on Mrs. [VICTIM #1]’s neck. Deputy Hernandez then proceeded back into the residence to see if he could get Mr. Hart to discuss anything that had occurred between him and Mrs. [VICTIM #1].

Once Deputy Hernandez had entered the residence, Mrs. [VICTIM #1] took the opportunity to finalize her written statement while the medical personnel conducted their assessment. Afterward, Mrs. [VICTIM #1] expressed her desire to check on her older son, who was still asleep, and to bring her younger son inside. We proceeded into the residence together, and she went to check on her eldest son. During this time, I observed the locking mechanisms installed on the exterior of each child’s bedroom door. I advised Mrs. [VICTIM #1] to enter her youngest son’s room to ensure his safety while I took a moment to confer with Deputy Hernandez in the backyard.

Deputy Hernandez informed me that Mr. Hart had not changed his story and would not admit to any physical contact with Mrs. [VICTIM #1]. I then explained the lock mechanisms on the bedroom doors to Deputy Hernandez. After understanding this information, Deputy Hernandez confronted Mr. Hart about the issue. In response, Mr. Hart claimed that the children are very energetic and wild. I also brought a safety concern to Mr. Hart’s attention regarding the locking of bedroom doors, highlighting potential risks such as residential fires and difficulties accessing the restroom or kitchen for food.

At that time, Deputy Hernandez informed Mr. Hart that he was under arrest and secured him in handcuffs. The handcuffs were checked for fit and double-locked. Mr. Hart was then escorted to Deputy Hernandez’s patrol vehicle, where he was patted down incident to arrest for weaposn/drugs; nothing was located on his person. Afterward, Mr. Hart was placed in the back seat of the patrol vehicle and secured with a seatbelt.

I returned to the residence to inform Mrs. [VICTIM #1] that Mr. Hart had been taken into custody. I also advised her to unlock the locking mechanisms on the juvenile’s doors immediately, which she did. I informed Mrs. [VICTIM #1] that DFACS would be notified about the locking mechanisms and that she should expect a call from them. Additionally, I provided her with a Family Violence pamphlet and explained its contents. Afterward, I exited the residence and handed Deputy Hernandez Mrs. [VICTIM #1]’s written statement before leaving.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on August 25, 2026]

On 08/25/2026, 2229 hrs, I responded code 1 (non-emergency) to [1000 BLOCK] Maggie Dr, Bethlehem Ga 30680, in reference to a domestic dispute, but the parties were currently separated.

Upon arriving on the scene, I came into contact with the complainant, identified as [VICTIM #1], and the suspect, identified as David Hart. Deputy Thurman and [VICTIM #1] stepped away to speak privately while I spoke to David inside the residence. David was on the phone, claiming he was calling [VICTIM #1]’s mother to pick her up.

When questioned about what had occurred, he repeatedly insisted that nothing happened and then mentioned they were arguing in the bedroom. When asked what the argument was about, David said, “I was asleep.” He indicated that [VICTIM #1] was upset because he wasn’t engaging in the argument. He recounted that [VICTIM #1] said, “If you don’t want to talk to me, I will make it clear to you,” and then she called law enforcement. David insisted nothing became physical and claimed [VICTIM #1] was angry over a lack of attention, which prompted her to call the police. He reiterated that he never touched her and that [VICTIM #1] had previously been the aggressor in their interactions. David also stated that no threats were made by either party.

David admitted to consuming five shots of scotch and four 12-ounce bottles of Bush Light. He claimed he was unwilling to disclose any information if [VICTIM #1] had ever done anything to him. He confirmed that no juveniles were present during the argument. David mentioned that [VICTIM #1] used to be a stripper and that he took her out of that life, providing her with a better existence. He suggested that when [VICTIM #1] doesn’t get her way, she calls law enforcement. He continued to emphasize that he did not touch her.

David claimed that [VICTIM #1] suffers from mental illnesses, including [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and that she has been placed in mental institutions in the past. He requested to have his history examined, asserting he is a good person who has done good deeds and that he attempted to help [VICTIM #1] improve. He indicated he was in love with the wrong woman and felt unable to change her. Additionally, David mentioned he had a lawyer to seek custody of his son and that he intended to evict [VICTIM #1] in February, but that effort was unsuccessful.

I asked David again if any physical interaction occurred, and he stated no, adding that if [VICTIM #1] ever hit him, he would not report it. Afterwards, I spoke with Deputy Thurman, who noted that [VICTIM #1] claimed David had been drinking in the garage with his son. [VICTIM #1] said she asked permission to shower and was in the shower for about fifteen minutes when David yelled from outside, “Why are you taking so long, bit*h? You need to get out.”

[VICTIM #1] stated she put her juvenile son to sleep and, even though she was crying, she didn’t check on him because David was being controlling. She described an incident where she grabbed David’s phone in the bedroom, and he asked for it back, twisting her arm in the process and leaving scratches. [VICTIM #1] claimed that after retrieving his phone, David slammed her onto the bed and placed his right hand around her throat. Deputy Thurman showed me photos that displayed redness on [VICTIM #1]’s throat consistent with where a hand would be placed, alongside scratches on her arm. Deputy Thurman recalled previous interactions at this residence, where David had also described himself as controlling. For more details on [VICTIM #1]’s account, please refer to Deputy Thurman’s supplemental report.

Med 3 arrived on the scene and inspected [VICTIM #1]. After being cleared, she declined further medical treatment. Deputy Thurman informed me that the children’s rooms have locks on the outside of the doors, preventing them from escaping.

I then attempted to question David further about the drinking in the garage, and he admitted being alone but later added that he was working on his four-wheeler outside. David reiterated that after an argument with [VICTIM #1]—which arose from his not spending time with the family—he went to bed. When asked about what transpired in the bedroom, he maintained that nothing happened; [VICTIM #1] had tried to talk to him, but he had simply told her he was going to bed. David continued to insist that he does not touch women.

I inquired if any property was damaged by either party, to which he replied no. When asked about the locks on the children’s rooms, he said his older son has [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and that his other son is too wild. David claimed he works a full-time job and must wake [VICTIM #1] to care for the children since she is a stay-at-home mother. However, he couldn’t provide a satisfactory explanation for the locks on the outside of the children’s doors.

David was asked to stand up and place his hands behind his back, after which he was handcuffed, checked for fit, and double-locked. He was escorted to my patrol vehicle, where he was searched incident to arrest, and no contraband was found. He was secured with a seatbelt. I contacted DFCS worker Ms. [REDACTED] to explain the situation regarding the locks on the children’s rooms, and she requested that a mandatory reporter form be filled out and emailed to her. Ms. [REDATED] was informed that it is a hazard if the kids are locked and they can not get out; she stated she understood. [VICTIM #1] was provided with a family violence packet and instructed on how to obtain a copy and information on resources for help if she needed any. It well as well advised not to lock the children in their rooms.

David was transported to the Barrow County Detention Center, where he was released to jail staff without any further issue. My patrol vehicle was searched before and after the transport, and no contraband was found.

David will be charged with the following.

OCGA 16-5-21(i) Aggravated Assault FV strangulation- David and [VICTIM #1] are currently in a relationship together and live in the same household. David intentionally slammed [VICTIM #1] onto their bed, wrapping his right hand around [VICTIM #1]’s throat, causing redness around her throat.

OCGA 16-5-23.1(f)(2)(A) Battery FV – David and [VICTIM #1] are currently in a relationship together and live in the same household. David intentionally scratched [VICTIM #1]’s hands and arms, causing visible redness from scratch marks David inflicted.

[End of Narrative]