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Name:
Gentry, Davonnia Latia
Date of Booking:
01/29/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING – MISDEMEANOR
GIVING FALSE NAME, ADDRESS, OR BIRTHDATE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 2ND DEGREE (FELONY)
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 1/29/2026 I responded to Walmart regarding shoplifting. While en route Central 911 advised one female as sitting at the entrance to the grocery side, while the other female was at customer service. Upon arrival Officer Ballard stopped with the first female identified as, Mikhia Gentry. I continued inside with the AP manager, [WITNESS #1] to customer service. I then found the female identified as Kabria Washington, attempting to buy several items.
[WITNESS #1] advised me both Kabria and Mikhia were both placing items in the shopping cart and walked past all registers leaving the store. She then stated an associate advised them to return inside, as they did not pay for the items. She stated they returned; to scan the items but the receipt did not match the items scanned. [WITNESS #1] then showed me where all items had $1.99 shirt stickers on them so the items would scan for cheaper.
I then asked both parties about the stickers, which they then admitted to swapping the tags. [WITNESS #1] advised me Walmart wished to pursue charges, and both females were placed in custody. While placing them in custody, both females stated they didn’t need to go to jail, due to having small children. The females were walked out to the patrol car for transport.
I inquired about the children, and Kabria stated they were alone at her address, [100 BLOCK] Lisa St apt [REDACTED] in Rincon Ga. Cpl Chapman arrived on scene per Kabria’s consent and house key to check on the children. Cpl Chapman advised me that the children ages of 2 and 3 were left unattended in the house, with several hazards present to the children.
As he was on scene at Lisa St I was finishing the criminal trespass forms for both females. I looked up both females by name and D.O.B through GCIC, but Mikhia Gentry [REDACTED] did not return. I asked Gentry for her name again, and she responded Davonnia Gentry [REDACTED], which returned to the female in custody. Gentry did return for a warrant out of Cairo Ga, but they refused to place a hold. Officer Ballard transported both females for me to the Effingham County jail and released to jail staff.
Kabria Washington was charged with Theft by Shoplifting (misdemeanor), and Cruelty to Children 2nd degree (felony). Gentry was charged with theft by Shoplifting (misdemeanor), Cruelty to Children in the 2nd degree (felony), False Name and DOB (misdemeanor). Kabria requested her purse be placed in her black Nissen Kicks bearing GA tag: [REDACTED] sitting in the parking lot of Walmart, which was left at Walmart.
I arrived with Cpl Chapman at the apartment and spoke with [REDACTED] (sister to Kabria Washington). [REDACTED] stated she would take custody of her niece, but the male juvenile she did not know. We attempted several numbers for the male to be picked up, but all refused. I then placed a call to DFACS. I made a report, and spoke to “[REDACTED]” with Effingham DFACS, regarding retrieving the male juvenile.
After several hours passed I brought the male juvenile to the Rincon Police Department while we waited for DFACS, as [REDACTED] stated she would no longer watch the child. At 2330 hours The DFACS case worker, [REDACTED] responded to [100 BLOCK] Lisa St to meet me with the juvenile. The juvenile was then turned over to the Aunt, [REDACTED]. [REDACTED] was bringing the child to [100 BLOCK] Woodhouse Ln in Savannah Ga.
[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:
2/12/26
CRIMINAL BOND FILED — DAVONNIA LATIA GENTRY RELEASED ON BOND
What this means: Davonnia Latia Gentry, who is accused of Giving False Name, Address, or Birthdate to a Law Enforcement Officer, Theft by Shoplifting (misdemeanor), and Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree (a felony) in Effingham County Superior Court (Case No. SUWR2026000051), was released from custody after a criminal bond was posted. The bond was set at $14,500. A co-signer, Rahns Bonding, secured the bond. As a condition of release, Gentry is required to appear in Effingham County Superior Court to answer to the charges. The bond document was filed with the Effingham County Superior Court Clerk’s office on February 12, 2026, and was signed by Walt Lawson, Clerk of Effingham County Superior Court.
8/12/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 6 COUNTS FILED AGAINST DAVONNIA LATIA GENTRY
What this means: A grand jury in Effingham County Superior Court returned a Bill of Indictment against Davonnia Latia Gentry and co-defendant Kabria Monea Washington during the June Term, 2026, under Case No. SU26-CR-159. The indictment was filed in open court on August 12, 2026. District Attorney D. Robert Busbee of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit is prosecuting, with Justin Hynko, RPD, named as prosecutor. The six counts are as follows:
Count 1 charges Gentry with Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony under O.C.G.A. 16-4-1.
Count 2 charges Gentry with Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony under O.C.G.A. 16-4-1.
Count 3 charges Gentry with Reckless Conduct under O.C.G.A. 16-5-60(b).
Count 4 charges Gentry with Reckless Conduct under O.C.G.A. 16-5-60(b).
Count 5 charges Gentry with Theft by Shoplifting under O.C.G.A. 16-8-14.
Count 6 charges Gentry with Giving False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer under O.C.G.A. 16-10-25.
9/1/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED — DAVONNIA LATIA GENTRY
What this means: Following the grand jury indictment, Davonnia Latia Gentry has been scheduled for a criminal arraignment calendar hearing on September 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Effingham County Superior Court. At an arraignment, the defendant is formally presented with the charges against them and asked to enter a plea. This is a standard next step after an indictment is returned.
9/1/26
DISCOVERY REQUEST FILED BY DEFENSE COUNSEL
What this means: On September 1, 2026, defense counsel Daveniya Fisher filed a discovery request in Effingham County Superior Court on behalf of Davonnia Latia Gentry. Discovery is the legal process by which both the defense and prosecution exchange evidence and information relevant to the case. The defense request asks the state to provide materials it intends to use or that may be helpful to the defendant’s case.
9/3/26
STATE’S DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE FILED
What this means: On September 3, 2026, the state filed its discovery disclosure in response to the defense request. This document provides the prosecution’s evidence and information to the defense, including witness statements, police reports, physical evidence, and other materials related to the charges against Davonnia Latia Gentry.
11/12/26
PLEA CALENDAR SCHEDULED — DAVONNIA LATIA GENTRY
What this means: A plea calendar hearing has been scheduled for November 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Effingham County Superior Court. At a plea calendar, the defendant and their attorney meet with the judge and prosecution to discuss the possibility of resolving the case through a guilty plea, nolo contendere plea, or other negotiated resolution. If no plea agreement is reached, the case may proceed to trial or be scheduled for further proceedings.