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Name:
Matthews-Goswick, Precious Marie
Date of Booking:
02/16/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Cruelty to Child-Cause Excessive Physical/Mental Pain-1st Degree
Cruelty to Child-Cause Excessive Physical/Mental Pain-1st Degree
Cruelty to Child-2nd Degree-Criminal Negligence/Cause Excessive Physical/Mental Pain
Cruelty to Child-2nd Degree-Criminal Negligence/Cause Excessive Physical/Mental Pain
Cruelty to Child-2nd Degree-Criminal Negligence/Cause Excessive Physical/Mental Pain
Cruelty to Child-2nd Degree-Criminal Negligence/Cause Excessive Physical/Mental Pain
Cruelty to Child-Deprivation of Necessary Sustenance-1st Degree
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 Monday February 02, 2026 at 0917 hours I was advised by Bartow County DFCS case worker [REDACTED] that their office had received two DFCS referral from (Kennestone Hospital) and (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta C.H.O.A.) in reference to the medical care of their patient (victim/juvenile/[REDACTED BY AGENCY] yoa [REDACTED BY AGENCY])
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] was admitted to Kennestone hsopital on Satruday January 31, 2025 and then later transported to CHOA. DFCS referrals were filed by both hospitals and their obsevations of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] status. It was reported that on January 31, 2026 that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was found unresponsive and cold by Metro Atlanta EMS arrival at the incident location. It was unknown what took place prior that resulted for the [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to be in that state.
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] had spinal bifida, cerebral palsy and mental neurological impairment requiring full time care. A week ago [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had a seizure and the primary caregiver (suspect/ Precious Matthews-Goswick) did not seek medical care or follow-up to address this incident. Precious stated to medical staff that she had been working. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] also had what appeared to be pressure wounds on both of her feet and a moderate severe diaper rash around her vag*nal area likely from not having her diaper change often. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] left thumb was also gangrene in appearance.
There was additional concern that Precious did not seek medical care or follow-up to address the [REDACTED BY AGENCY] thumb and diaper rash. It was also reported tha [REDACTED BY AGENCY] weighed 11 kg to which when converted to pounds is 24.25 pounds. It was also reported that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was is in the intensive care unit at CHOA for sepsis and hypothermia. It was further reported that the [REDACTED BY AGENCY] is malnourished and has bruises over her body. It was further reported that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] has necrosis to her thumb and skin breakdown of the vag*nal area and inner thighs. It was further reported that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] has not had any medical follow up appointments in over a year and the last neurology appointment was in 2023.
The case was labeled as active until further inevstigation could be conducted.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
2/16/26
PRECIOUS MARIE MATTHEWS-GOSWICK BOOKED INTO BARTOW COUNTY JAIL
What this means: Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick was taken into custody and booked into the Bartow County Jail. At this stage, no bond had been set.
2/19/26
MOTION FOR BOND FILED IN BARTOW SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick’s attorney, Kearston Gill of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s office, filed a formal request asking the court to set a bond so the defendant could be released from the Bartow County Jail while the case moves forward. The motion noted that no bond had been set at that point and argued that Matthews-Goswick does not pose a significant risk of fleeing, threatening witnesses, or obstructing the case.
2/19/26
ORDER AND RULE NISI ISSUED — BOND MOTION HEARING SCHEDULED
What this means: Bartow County Superior Court Judge Kathy Ruff signed an order scheduling a hearing on the bond motion. The hearing was set for March 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom D of the Bartow County Courthouse. A “rule nisi” is a court order that sets a date for all parties to appear and show cause — meaning the prosecution would have the opportunity to argue against bond if they chose to.
3/3/26
BOND MOTION HEARING CALENDARED
What this means: The bond motion hearing for Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick was scheduled to be heard at 9:00 a.m. in Bartow Superior Court. Court records indicate this date was later moved.
3/9/26
BOND MOTION HEARING RESET
What this means: The bond motion hearing was rescheduled, per communication from the Public Defender’s office, to a new date. The matter did not proceed on March 3 as originally set.
3/11/26
MOTION FOR BOND FILED BY LEANNA WADE
What this means: A motion for bond was filed on behalf of Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick by attorney Leanna Wade, also with the Public Defender’s office representing the defendant in Bartow Superior Court case SUW2026000395.
3/12/26
RULE NISI ISSUED — BOND HEARING RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 17, 2026
What this means: The Bartow County Superior Court issued a new rule nisi order, setting the bond hearing for March 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom D. This directed all parties to appear and show cause why the defendant’s request for bond should not be granted.
3/17/26
BOND MOTION HEARING CALENDARED
What this means: The bond motion hearing for Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick was scheduled for this date in Bartow Superior Court. Court records indicate this hearing was again reset before it took place.
3/31/26
BOND MOTION HEARING RESET — HELD ON THIS DATE
What this means: The bond motion hearing was reset once more, per announcement in court and email from the Public Defender’s office, and ultimately took place on March 31, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom D of the Bartow County Courthouse.
3/31/26
ORDER GRANTING BOND — PRECIOUS MARIE MATTHEWS-GOSWICK RELEASED ON CONDITIONS
What this means: A Bartow County Superior Court judge signed an order granting bond for Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick in the amount of $100,000, with the bond to be submitted in a form acceptable to the sheriff. The defendant was released subject to several conditions: she must not leave the State of Georgia without court permission and must follow all instructions of Juvenile Court and adhere to any DFCS Plan. The court retained the right to revoke bond if any of these conditions are violated. Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick is charged in case SUW2026000395 with seven counts — two counts of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, four counts of Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree, and one count of Cruelty to Children involving alleged deprivation of necessary sustenance — all felony charges under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70).
5/26/26
MOTIONS HEARING HELD IN BARTOW SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: A motions hearing was held at 9:00 a.m. in Bartow Superior Court for Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick’s case SUCR2026001043. The court considered motions filed in the case.
5/26/26
ORDER SETTING BOND AMOUNT — BOND REDUCTION GRANTED
What this means: Following the motions hearing, Bartow County Superior Court issued an order reducing Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick’s bond amount from $100,000 to $50,000, making it easier for the defendant to secure her release while the case proceeds in case SUCR2026001043.
6/3/26
AMENDED CONSENT BOND REDUCTION ORDER ISSUED
What this means: The court issued an amended version of the bond reduction order. This revised order reflected an agreement between the defense and prosecution (a “consent” order) regarding the reduced bond amount for Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick. The amended order superseded the prior bond reduction order from May 26, 2026.
6/17/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 5 COUNTS FILED AGAINST PRECIOUS MARIE MATTHEWS-GOSWICK
What this means: A Bartow County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick during the May Term 2026 of Bartow Superior Court. The indictment was filed on June 17, 2026, under case number 26-1043. A second defendant, April Nyoka Goswick, is also named in the indictment. A grand jury returning a “true bill” means the grand jury reviewed the evidence and found enough probable cause to formally charge the defendant. The five counts are as follows:
Count 1 charges Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick with Cruelty to Children in the First Degree under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70(b).
Count 2 charges Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick with Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70(c).
Count 3 charges Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick with Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70(c).
Count 4 charges Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick with Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70(c).
Count 5 charges Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick with Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70(c).
7/20/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED — PRECIOUS MARIE MATTHEWS-GOSWICK
What this means: Following the grand jury indictment, an arraignment has been scheduled for Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick on July 20, 2026, at 9:01 a.m. in Bartow Superior Court. An arraignment is the formal court proceeding where a defendant is read the charges against them and enters a plea of guilty or not guilty.
7/21/26
STATE DISCLOSURE CERTIFICATE AND NOTICES FILED
What this means: The State filed a disclosure certificate and notices in Bartow Superior Court case 261043 for Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick, formally documenting that the prosecution has shared required information with the defense.
7/21/26
STATE NOTICE OF RECIDIVIST PROSECUTION FILED
What this means: The State filed notice that it intends to seek enhanced penalties based on prior criminal convictions, if any are proven, in the prosecution of Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick in case 261043.
7/21/26
STATE NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE EVIDENCE IN AGGRAVATION FILED
What this means: The State filed notice that it plans to present additional evidence at sentencing — if Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick is convicted — to argue for a harsher sentence in case 261043.
7/21/26
STATE NOTICE OF INTENT TO IMPEACH WITH CONVICTIONS FOR CRIMEN FALSI FILED
What this means: The State filed notice that it may use prior convictions involving dishonesty or fraud to challenge Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick’s credibility if she testifies at trial in case 261043.
7/21/26
STATE NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE CHILD HEARSAY FILED
What this means: The State filed notice that it plans to ask the court to allow out-of-court statements made by a child to be presented as evidence at trial in the prosecution of Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick in case 261043. Such statements require special court approval under Georgia law.
7/21/26
DEFENSE WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT FILED
What this means: Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick’s defense filed a waiver of arraignment on July 21, 2026, in Bartow Superior Court case 261043. Rather than appearing in court for a formal arraignment, the defendant’s attorney accepted the charges on her behalf without requiring a formal court appearance.
7/30/26
BOND EXECUTED — PRECIOUS MARIE MATTHEWS-GOSWICK RELEASED ON $50,000 BOND
What this means: A bond document dated July 24, 2026, and filed with Bartow Superior Court on July 30, 2026, shows that Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick executed a $50,000 bond in case 261043. The bond covers one count of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree and four counts of Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree. A surety signed onto the bond, meaning a bonding company guaranteed the full amount and is responsible for ensuring Matthews-Goswick appears in court as required.
8/31/26
CALENDAR CALL HELD
What this means: A calendar call was held on August 31, 2026, in Bartow Superior Court case 261043 for Precious Marie Matthews-Goswick. A calendar call is a brief court appearance where the judge confirms that both the prosecution and defense are ready to proceed, reviews the status of the case, and sets upcoming deadlines or trial dates. The true bill of indictment returned by the grand jury in June 2026 was confirmed as the charging document in this case.