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Name:
Tallon, John Wyatt, III
Date of Booking:
01/14/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
Cruelty to Child-Cause Excessive Physical/Mental Pain-1st Degree
Aggravated Battery
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.]
On Tuesday January 7, 2024 I was dispatched via phone in reference to child abuse/neglect.
I made contact with [WITNESS #1], a social worker for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Scottish Rite), whom stated this date [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (2 month old) was brought to Scottish Rite by her parents. [WITNESS #1] stated upon [REDACTED BY AGENCY] arrival, doctors noticed multiple fractures all over the body that was noted as non accidental injuries. [WITNESS #1] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] parents, Rachel Tallon and Wyatt Tallon advised her they took [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to her primary care for routine vaccinations earlier this date, however the primary care doctor refused treatment due to the injuries.
I notified on call Investigator Russo and the case was turned over to him.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
1/22/25
BOND POSTED ($52,500)
What this means: This means the defendant paid or secured the bond amount set by the court. Posting bond allowed the defendant to be released from jail while the case continues, as long as all bond rules are followed.
1/26/25
MULTIPLE FILINGS BY DEFENSE COUNSEL FRANK STAROSTO
What this means: The defense attorney officially entered the case and filed several requests at once. These included asking to change bond conditions, requesting the return of property taken by law enforcement, and submitting proposed orders for the judge to sign if the motions were approved.
2/3/25
MOTIONS HEARING AT 9:00 AM
What this means: This was a court hearing where the judge listened to arguments about the motions that had been filed. The hearing itself doesn’t mean a decision was made that day, only that the issues were formally presented to the court.
4/18/25
BOND MODIFICATION MOTION FILED
What this means: The defense again asked the court to change the conditions of the defendant’s bond. A proposed “Rule Nisi” was included, which is a document asking the court to schedule a hearing on the request.
4/21/25
RULE NISI FILED
What this means: The court issued a Rule Nisi setting a hearing for April 28, 2025. This officially scheduled the date and time for the judge to hear the bond modification request.
4/28/25
MOTIONS HEARING AT 9:00 AM
What this means: The judge heard arguments from both sides about changing the bond conditions. This hearing led directly to the court’s decision later that same day.
4/28/25
ORDER GRANTING BOND MODIFICATION
What this means: The judge approved the request to modify bond conditions. The defendant was allowed to have non-violent contact with his two minor children.
10/28/25
NOTICE OF SUBSITUTION OF COUNSEL
What this means: This filing means the defendant changed lawyers. Jason P. Hood officially became the new defense attorney handling the case.
10/28/25
ELECTION TO APPLY RECIPROCAL RULES OF DISCOVERY
What this means: The defendant agreed to follow discovery rules that require both sides to share certain evidence with each other. This helps ensure fairness by allowing each side to see what evidence may be used at trial.
12/17/25
INDICTMENT
What this means: A grand jury formally charged the defendant with multiple felony counts, including six counts of aggravated battery, six counts of first-degree cruelty to children, and two counts of second-degree cruelty to children. An indictment means the case is moving forward toward trial rather than being dismissed.
1/23/26
DEFENSE FILES WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT
What this means: John Wyatt Tallon III’s defense attorney filed a formal waiver of arraignment with Bartow Superior Court in case 25-2687. An arraignment is a court hearing where a defendant is formally read the charges against them and enters a plea. By waiving arraignment, Tallon’s attorney is telling the court that Tallon is already aware of the charges — first-degree cruelty to a child — and that the formal reading is unnecessary. This is a routine step that saves court time and moves the case forward.
1/26/26
ARRAIGNMENT HEARING AT 9:01 AM
What this means: This was the scheduled arraignment date on the court’s calendar. Even though the arraignment was waived, the hearing date still appears in the docket as part of the court’s official record.
1/28/26
STATE’S CERTIFICATE OF DISCOVERY FILED
What this means: The prosecution in John Wyatt Tallon III’s case filed their discovery certificate with Bartow Superior Court in case 25-2687. This document lists all the evidence and materials the state has in their possession that they must share with the defense, including witness statements, scientific reports, audio/video recordings, and other potential evidence. This is required by Georgia law to ensure both sides have access to relevant case materials. Tallon is accused of cruelty to a child in the first degree, causing excessive physical or mental pain.
2/9/26
TRANSCRIPT FILED FOR MOTION TO MODIFY BOND HEARING
What this means: The court reporter filed the official written transcript of John Wyatt Tallon III’s motion to modify bond hearing that took place on April 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM in Bartow Superior Court. This hearing would have been where Tallon’s defense attorney asked the judge to change the conditions of his bond – possibly to reduce the bond amount, modify restrictions, or change other release conditions. The transcript provides a complete record of what was said during that hearing and will be part of the permanent case file.
5/5/26
FIRST AMENDED STATE’S COMBINED DISCOVERY FILED
What this means: The prosecution filed an updated and combined discovery package in John Wyatt Tallon III’s case in Bartow Superior Court. This amended discovery replaces or supplements the original certificate filed on January 28, 2026, and may include additional evidence, updated witness information, or newly obtained materials that the state is required to share with the defense. Both sides now have an updated picture of the evidence the prosecution intends to use against Tallon, who is accused of first-degree cruelty to a child.