Benita Jones

Name:
JONES, BENITA ANN

Date of Booking:
09/15/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
BATTERY – FAMILY VIOLENCE (1ST OFFENSE) MISD

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE/CAUSES EXCESSIVE PHYS/MENTAL PAIN-2ND 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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on September 15, 2025]

On 09/15/2025 around 09:41PM, I Officer M. Reed #377 was dispatched to [200 BLOCK] Industrial Boulevard Apartment [REDACTED] in reference to a domestic dispute. While in route to the address, I was advised that a young child was locked out of his apartment after a domestic dispute with a family member. Witnesses on scene were standing by for law enforcement arrival.

Upon arrival, I made contact with two black females and a young black male, later identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Ofc. Roseberry #344 and Ofc. Holder #349 began speaking with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] while I began knocking at the door of [REDACTED], which was the apartment [REDACTED BY AGENCY] belonged to. A female later identified as Benita Jones answered the door. I stepped inside and spoke with Benita while other officers stayed outside and spoke with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I asked Benita what had transpired, she informed me that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was being disrespectful and unruly. Benita advised she then attempted to discipline [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and that [REDACTED] began fighting with her.

Benita advised she struck [REDACTED BY AGENCY] several times but denied ever choking [REDACTED BY AGENCY] or placing her hands around his throat. I asked how many times Benita struck [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and she advised a couple but could not give an exact count. I asked where the strikes were landing and Benita advised on the shoulder area and around his chest.

During questioning, Benita smacked her own leg when describing where the strikes landed as if she did strike him on the leg. Benita advised she was upset/mad during this act of discipline due to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] never being disciplined. I asked about [REDACTED BY AGENCY] mother, later identified as [WITNESS #1], Benita seemed amused by the idea of discipline from [WITNESS #1] to [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

I asked if the mothe/son relationship was more like brother/sister, Benita advised it was and that [WITNESS #1] does not discipline or punish [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Benita advised the only time [REDACTED BY AGENCY] behaves is when he is with his father. I then stepped outside to speak with the officers who were interviewing [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Upon stepping outside I made contact with the officers, also Sgt. K. Waldo #326 and Cpl. D. Cano #358 were now on scene. Upon speaking with other officers, they advised they had already talked with witnesses and [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. They had also taken pictures of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] due to him having swelling/bruising above the right eye. From everything, I had gathered [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had also been outside of the apartment for around an hour and witnesses advised he had been seen walking around. After gathering this information, I stepped back inside and went into further questions.

I asked Benita how [REDACTED BY AGENCY] got outside and why he had been outside for so long. Benita advised she was under the impression that someone had come and picked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] up from the location. I spoke with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] about the same issue, [REDACTED] advised the same thing that she was under the impression [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had been picked up by someone because [WITNESS #1] had called her asking about the incident. I also asked [REDACTED] if she witnessed the incident and she advised she did not, that she only heard [REDACTED BY AGENCY] from her bedroom. [REDACTED] had the something to say about [REDACTED BY AGENCY] actions, that he was unruly and disrespectful, and that he only behaved for his father.

After containing all the information from the incident, I placed Benita under arrest for Battery (F.V.A) under O.C.G.A 16-5-23, and Cruelty to Children 2nd degree (FVA) under O.C.G.A 16-5-70. I placed handcuffs on Benita, behind her back, checked for proper fit and double locked them for safety. I then escorted Benita to my marked Villa Rica patrol car and secured her in the backseat, seat belted in for safety.

I then went and took another look at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and where the swelling/bruising was above his right eye. After this I transported Benita directly to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Jail without incident, she was then turned over to Jail staff for booking. Below reads the code section for Battery under O.C.G.A and Cruelty to Children 2nd degree under O.C.G.A.

Battery O.C.G.A 16-5-23
A person commits the offense of battery when he or she intentionally causes substantial physical harm or visible bodily harm to another.

Cruelty to Children 2nd Degree O.C.G.A 16-5-70
Any person commits the offense of cruelty to children in the second degree when such person with criminal negligence causes a child under the age of 18 cruel or excessive physical or mental pain.

Benita did commit the offense of Battery when she left visible marks above the right eye of [REDACTED BY AGENCY], during a “disciplining” act. This offense falls under the family violence act due to Benita and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] living in the same household of [200 BLOCK] Industrial Boulevard Apartment [REDACTED]. Note: Benita is the aunt to [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. This offense occurred in the city limits of Villa Rica, Georgia, within Carroll County. This offense is punishable as a misdemeanor. A warrant will be secured and presented to a Judge.

Benita did commit the offense of Cruelty to Children 2nd Degree when she continued to strike [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in random locations during a “disciplining” act. This offense falls under the family violence act due to Benita and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] living in the same household of [200 BLOCK] Industrial Boulevard Apartment [REDACTED]. Note: Benita is the aunt to [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. This offense occurred in the city limits of Villa Rica, Georgia, within Carroll County. This offense is punishable as a felony. A warrant will be secured and presented to a Judge.

Pictures of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and his injuries will be attached to this report in the other images section of this report. I will be requesting a supplemental report from the officer who conducted the interview of [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Also attached within the linked files section of this report will be the witness statement forms to the two women who were standing by with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] while law enforcement responded.

Note: I did make contact with DFCS via a phone call and made a referral of the incident with [REDACTED].

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on September 15, 2025]

On September 15th, 2025, at approximately 2157 hours, I, Corporal Cano, spoke with [WITNESS #1]. [WITNESS #1] is the mother of [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

I explained what had occurred this evening and advised her that we were waiting for her to release custody of [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [WITNESS #1] advised [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had told her earlier in the day that he had received injuries at school. I advised [WITNESS #1] that she needs to speak with the school administration because the injuries that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] sustained were too obvious for the school staff not to alert her.

I provided [WITNESS #1] with a case card that contained the case number.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #3 on September 15, 2025]

On September 15th, 2025, I assisted Ofc Reed during an investigation at Arbor Bend Apartments, Apt [REDACTED].

I spoke with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I observed a scratch to his right temple and a scratch on his right elbow. I asked what happened and he said that his Aunt (Benita Jones) told him to go to his grandmother’s room. He refused and Benita tried to hit him. She struck him in the face, which left a mark. Benita grabbed him by the neck and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had to push her arm off of him.

I asked him if he felt dizzy when she put her hand around his neck and he said no, but he could feel his throat tightening. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] grabbed his bookbag and left the residence. He later returned because he “wanted to apologize.” I asked why he wanted to apologize and he said that he felt bad for how he acted towards his aunt. He attempted to open the door but it was locked. He knocked on the door and no one answered. He wandered around the apartment complex until neighbors eventually called 911 to check on his welfare.

[End of Narrative]