Elizabeth Bolen

Name:
Bolen, Elizabeth Ellen

Date of Booking:
09/16/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 2ND DEGREE – F

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 September 16, 2025, while on uniformed patrol in my marked unit, I, Officer McCosley, was dispatched to Jalapenos located at 930 Morgans Corner Road regarding a domestic dispute involving a mother and her juvenile daughter.

Upon arrival, I observed a female walking with a juvenile toward a vehicle, followed by a male and female pointing at her and flagging me down. I identified the female as Ms. Elizabeth Bolen and the child as her 6-year-old daughter. I directed the other involved parties, Mr. [WITNESS #1] and Mrs. [WITNESS #2], to remain near their vehicle so I could conduct interviews separately.

Ms. Bolen stated that she had spoken sternly to her daughter because the child had lied about having homework. She admitted being frustrated, but denied any wrongdoing beyond verbal correction.

I then interviewed Mr. and Mrs. [WITNESS #2], who reported that during their time at the restaurant, they overheard Ms. Bolen cursing at and verbally berating her daughter. She was reportedly heard asking the child what she had told DFACS (Department of Family and Children Services) earlier that day, following a visit to West Chatham Elementary School. Ms. Bolen allegedly used the “F” word multiple times and referred to her daughter as a “monster” for telling DFACS that she had been beaten. She also reportedly yelled, “Are you trying to get DFACS to take you away?”

Due to the severity and emotionally abusive nature of the statements, Mr. and Mrs. [WITNESS #2] intervened and called 911. They also advised that Ms. [WITNESS #3], a bartender at the restaurant, had witnessed the incident.

Ms. [WITNESS #3] confirmed that she had observed a pattern of verbal abuse over the course of several visits by Ms. Bolen and her daughter. On this date, she specifically observed Ms. Bolen recording her daughter crying while she spoke to her in a demeaning and threatening manner. She also mentioned prior attempts by staff to report Ms. Bolen’s behavior due to concern for the child’s well-being.

I requested security footage from the restaurant. Management advised it would be available the following day once the owner returned.

I then spoke with the juvenile, with Ms. Bolen’s permission. The child presented as timid and withdrawn. I observed discoloration under the right eye, a visible scratch beneath the right eye, and what appeared to be bruising. Ms. Bolen attributed the injuries to a bug bite, which was inconsistent with their appearance.

When asked what had occurred that morning at school and during the restaurant incident, the child stated that her mother was angry because she had disclosed to DFACS that her mother “beat me up.” When I asked her to clarify what “beat up” meant, she explained that her mother would hit her legs and had done so at their previous residence.

I returned to speak with Ms. Bolen and inquired about allegations from staff that she had filmed her daughter during the incident. She initially denied recording anything or deleted a video from her phone in my presence. Officer Lunsford was able to have her retrieve the footage from the “Recently Deleted” folder. I was told the video showed what seemed like Ms. Bolen coercing her daughter to state that she had not been hit, appearing to influence or suppress the child’s prior disclosure.

Legal Basis for Arrest — O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70(c):
Based on witness statements, video evidence, the child’s injuries, and her consistent account of physical and emotional mistreatment, I determined that probable cause existed to arrest Ms. Bolen for Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree, in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70(c). This statute states: “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.”

The evidence clearly supported that Ms. Bolen caused excessive mental pain through repeated verbal abuse, coercion, and threatening language—especially in a public setting—and that the child also showed physical indicators of prior harm, consistent with her statements and the nature of the DFACS investigation.

I contacted DFACS and notified them of my findings and intent to arrest. A caseworker was dispatched to our department to sit with the child. DFACS also contacted the child’s maternal aunt, Mrs. [REDACTED], who was en route from approximately four hours away to take custody of the child.

At approximately 7:33 PM, I placed Ms. Bolen under arrest for Cruelty to Children — Second Degree. She was taken into custody discreetly, away from the child, and handcuffed with proper fit and double-locked. Officer Lunsford conducted a search incident to arrest of her person, and I transported Ms. Bolen to Chatham County Detention Center for booking. Her vehicle was left in the parking lot and her keys were taken to be handed over to Mrs. [REDACTED] who was going to pick it up. Inside the vehicle an incorrect car seat was found that is needed for a child of her age and size.

Per guidance from Detective Winn (CID), Ms. Bolen was to be held with no bond, so bond conditions could be added for the child’s welfare. A citation was issued and Ms. Bolen was given a court date of October 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Pooler Municipal Court.

Ms. [WITNESS #3] was served a subpoena as a witness and confirmed she would work with management to retrieve the video footage. Verified addresses for Mr. and Mrs. [WITNESS #2] were recorded and subpoenas will be mailed accordingly.

[End of Narrative]