Written by: E. George
Published September 4, 2023 @ 10:20 AM ET
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. – A man was arrested on Monday, August 25, 2023, for stabbing his 66-year-old mother in the neck with a screwdriver at her Garden City home, just one day after he was arrested for slapping her in the face and preventing her 911 call.
On August 25, Garden City Police officers responded to the Parker’s gas station on Augusta Road regarding a victim wanting to report threats against her. The woman explained that she had just been attacked by her son, Steven Edward Carpenter, and had fled to Parker’s to call 911.
She said he had been ordered not to contact her after their altercation the previous day, but when he was released from jail, he broke into her home and held a screwdriver to her neck. The officers noted “a fresh, bloody mark on the center of her neck” and requested EMS to come and evaluate her.
The victim said she had been shampooing her hair “when Steven appeared out of nowhere.” He had unscrewed the wood panels from a window and entered her home.
When he approached her in the bathroom, she was startled and screamed. She told him he “should not be here” and asked him to leave.
Carpenter “backed her into a corner and held a screwdriver at her throat,” causing a laceration. She was able to calm him down by repeating, “I’m sorry,” over and over, but when she mentioned that he was not supposed to be in her house, “he became physical again.”
He grabbed her by her neck, held her against the wall, and spit in her face. He “took both of his thumbs and began to apply pressure to her eyes.”
She stated, “The pressure was significant but did not cause any damage.” She added that he “could have popped her eyes if he wanted to.”
She calmed him down once again, and he exited the bathroom, entered the kitchen, and asked her to get him a drink. She told the officers that her phone was fixed from when he broke it the day before, but since it was located in the kitchen, she did not believe she could make it past him to call for help.
Carpenter then asked her to go to the store to buy him something to drink, so she used the opportunity to ask someone at Parker’s gas station to call 911 for her. She said he threatened to kill her and himself if she called the police and also stated, “I will become a serial killer” if she dialed 911.
She said he threatened to kill her multiple times, told her she was “no mother,” and made statements including, “I hate you” and “All I wanted was a hug.” The officers relocated to her house to apprehend Carpenter.
No one answered when they knocked and announced themselves, so they opened the front door, with the victim’s permission, and revealed that they had a K9. Carpenter emerged, and the officers handcuffed him and placed him into the rear of a patrol vehicle without incident.
The officers entered the home and observed several doors off their hinges. The victim explained Carpenter had caused the damage during previous incidents.
In the bathroom, they saw the screwdriver stuck into a wall. EMS arrived and evaluated the victim’s injuries, but she declined further treatment at a hospital.
The officers placed a second pair of handcuffs on the suspect and began to interview him. They asked him if he knew he was not supposed to be at his mother’s house, and he said he did. He told them he went there to “gather his items.” He admitted entering the home through the porch window and seeing his mother in the bathroom.
He said, “An argument began.” When asked about the screwdriver, he said he had it in his hands because he unscrewed the window panels. When they inquired about holding it to her neck, he asked them if she had any marks on her skin. They asked again, and he said he did not “intentionally” harm her.
The officer asked, “How the screwdriver unintentionally was placed at her neck, and he advised he did not hold it there.” He said he lost his temper and “planted it into the wall.”
They asked him if he grabbed her by the throat, and he replied that he “grabbed her face so that she would look him in the eyes.” When asked about applying pressure to her eyes, he said he “used his thumbs to wipe away tears but did not press down hard.”
He said after he gave her his CashApp card and she left for the store, he “went to his room to shoot up some dope.” He admitted using methamphetamine, which “was located on the table near his bed.”
He said his ex-girlfriend had given him the drugs for free “a while ago, and that he was three weeks clean and just happened to find it in his room.” The officers located the drugs and paraphernalia, which tested positive for methamphetamine, in his bedroom and collected them as evidence.
They provided his mother with resources regarding safe shelters and violence outreach programs and notified adult protective services regarding the case. Once they concluded their investigation at the residence, they transported Carpenter to the Chatham County Detention Center.
He was charged with exploiting/inflicting pain to/depriving essential services to a disabled or elderly person or resident, two misdemeanors: obstructing or hindering persons making emergency telephone calls and criminal trespass (family violence), and five felonies: aggravated assault, false imprisonment, terroristic threats and acts, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.
The morning prior, on August 24, 2023, officers were dispatched to Carpenter’s mother’s home regarding a disorderly person. She explained that Carpenter “took her vehicle last night and did not return home until this morning.”
She said when she confronted him, “it turned into a verbal argument.” However, when she entered her vehicle, he “snatched the keys from her and slapped her in the face.”
She said she entered the house to call 911, but he grabbed the phone from her hand and “broke the cord to the phone, preventing her from calling 911.” The officers noted she had “no visible injuries,” and she declined an EMS evaluation.
They questioned Carpenter, and he said he had texted her about “staying at a friend’s house” and would not bring the car back that night. He admitted to snatching the keys and phone from her, explaining, “She said she was calling 911, and he did not want her calling us.”
The officers placed him in handcuffs and transported him to the Chatham County Jail.
Carpenter’s charges from August 24, 2023, include exploiting/inflicting pain to/depriving essential services to a disabled person, elderly person, or resident, four misdemeanors: two counts of criminal trespass (family violence) and two counts of obstructing or hindering persons making emergency telephone calls, and five felonies: aggravated assault, false imprisonment, terroristic threats and acts, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.
This case is pending in court.
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 August 24, 2023, at 1113 hours, I was dispatched to a disorderly person at [30 BLOCK] Varnedoe Ave. When I arrived on scene, I observed a Chatham County Deputy already on scene. He advised that he was flagged down by the complainant/victim [VICTIM #1].
I then spoke with [VICTIM #1] she advised that her son, Steven Carpenter, took her vehicle last night and did not return home till this morning with the vehicle. She advised she confronted Steven about the situation with the vehicle. When she confronted Steven about the vehicle it turned into a verbal argument.
[VICTIM #1] advised that she was getting into her vehicle, and Steven snatched the keys from her and slapped her in the face. She advised that she went inside and grabbed her phone to call 911, and Steven took the phone from her and broke the cord to the phone preventing her from calling 911. I then asked [VICTIM #1] if she would like to be checked out by EMS, she declined. There were no visible injuries to [VICTIM #1]’s face.
I then made contact with Steven about the situation. He advised that he spoke with [VICTIM #1] last night through via text letting her know that he was staying at a friend’s house and was not going to bring the car back that night. I then asked Steven if he snatched the keys from [VICTIM #1], he stated yes. I then proceed to ask Steven why he snatched the phone from [VICTIM #1], he advised that she said she was calling 911 and he did not want her calling us.
I then told Steven he is being placed under arrest for OBSTRUCING OR HINDERING A PERSON FROM MAKING AN EMERGENCY CALL, CRIMINAL TRESPASS (FV).
I then placed Steven in handcuffs that were sized to fit and double locked behind his back and searched. He was then placed into the transport compartment of my patrol unit, that was checked for contraband prior to transport and after transport. He was then transported to the Chatham County Jail where he is pending arraignment. I then filled out a DVA notification form with the victim’s information and gave it to the deputy.
I then provided [VICTIM #1] with a Garden CIty Victim Brochure and was advised 3-5 business days, she could pick a report up from the Garden City Police Department.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRITIVE #2]
On August 25th, 2023, at approximately 2122 hours, I was dispatched to the Parker’s Gas Station at 4219 Augusta Road, for a person wanting to report threats.
Upon arrival, Cpl. Soroken and I made contact with the victim, [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] advised that she had come to the Parker’s and had someone contact 911 on her behalf. She advised that she only has a landline phone at her residence, [30 BLOCK] Varnedoe Avenue.
[VICTIM #1] advised that she was in an altercation with her son, Steven Carpenter, the day before, 08/24/2023 (CRN 230824029), and that he was not supposed to have any contact with her. She advised that he was arrested and released but had just broken into her home and stabbed her in the neck with a screw driver. I observed a fresh, bloody mark, on the center of her neck. I requested EMS come to our location to evaluate her.
I asked [VICTIM #1] to explain all that happened. [VICTIM #1] advised that she was in the bathroom, shampooing her hair, when Steven appeared out of nowhere. She informed me that Steven had unscrewed the wood panels in front of his window and entered the residence that way. [VICTIM #1] was startled and screamed. Steven then approached her, and she told him that he should not be here and to leave.
[VICTIM #1] advised that Steven backed her into a corner and held a screwdriver at her throat. She advised that this was what caused the cut on her neck. [VICTIM #1] described the screwdriver and advised it had a dark black or blue handle. [VICTIM #1] advised that she was able to calm Steven down by saying “I’m sorry” over and over. She again advised him to leave because he was not supposed to be here, and he became physical again.
[VICTIM #1] advised that Steven then grabbed her by the neck and held her against the wall. I asked if he choked her or if he applied pressure, causing her to be unable to breathe. She advised no and that he was just holding her against the wall that way. She also advised that he spit in her face, while holding her on the wall.
[VICTIM #1] stated that Steven took both of his thumbs and began to apply pressure to her eyes. She advised me that the pressure was significant but did not cause any damage. She advised that she believed Steven could have popped her eyes, if he wanted to. I asked if she tried to leave the bathroom and she advised me that she did not try, because she believed she would have no chance to get past him. [VICTIM #1] was able to calm Steven down again and he left the bathroom.
[VICTIM #1] informed me that Steven went into the kitchen and stood in the doorway. She advised that at this point he was calm and asked her to go get something to drink. [VICTIM #1] advised that her landline phone, was fixed from the previous incident and working, but in the kitchen. [VICTIM #1] felt that she was unable to get into the kitchen, to use the phone to call 911.
Steven asked [VICTIM #1] to go buy her something to drink. [VICTIM #1] then left and went to the Parker’s, where she was able to have someone call 911 on her behalf. She advised that Steven threatened to kill her and himself, if she called police. She also stated that Steven advised “I will become a serial killer” if she called 911.
Throughout the incident Steven verbally threatened to kill her multiple times. She was unsure of the order of these statements, but advised Steven said she was “no mother,” “I hate you,” and “all I wanted was a hug.” [VICTIM #1] believes that he acted this way because she did not react the way he probably wanted, when he entered the home. She advised that Steven was still at the residence.
Sgt. Ramirez, Cpl. Soroken, and APO. Wieregna went to the residence to check for him. They knocked and announced their presence but received no answer. [VICTIM #1] then gave officers’ permission to enter her residence. Cpl. Soroken opened the front door and announced their presence again and the presence of his K-9. Steven came out and was placed into hand restraints without incident. He was then placed into the back of APO. Wieregna’s patrol vehicle. [VICTIM #1] and I then relocated to her residence.
Once we arrived, I had [VICTIM #1] walk me through the house and reiterate the events that occurred. She went through all of it again with me, and showed where Steven cornered her in the bathroom. There were a few doors, off their hinges, but [VICTIM #1] advised that Steven did this during previous incidents, not tonight.
The bathroom was scattered with some items and there was a screwdriver with a dark green and black handle, stuck in the wall. [VICTIM #1] advised this was the screwdriver Steven used to harm her. Chatham EMS Unit M60 arrived on scene and evaluated her injuries. [VICTIM #1] declined further treatment at a hospital.
Steven was advised of his rights and placed into a second pair of handcuffs, which both were sized to fit and double locked. He then was placed into the back of my patrol vehicle, which was checked before and after. I asked Steven if he knew he was not supposed to be at this residence, he advised yes. I asked if he knew that his mother was home, and he advised yes. I asked the purpose for him coming over and he advised that he came to gather his items.
Steven advised that he entered the residence though the porch window and saw his mother in the bathroom. Steven informed me that he advised [VICTIM #1] that he just needed to grab some things and an argument began. I asked Steven about the screwdriver and he advised that it was in his hand because he used it to unscrew the wooden panels, over the window. I asked if he placed the screwdriver on [VICTIM #1]’s neck, and he asked if she had any marks. I asked again and he advised “not intentionally.”
I asked how the screwdriver unintentionally was placed at her neck and he advised he did not hold it there. He advised that he lost his temper and planted it into the wall. I asked if he grabbed [VICTIM #1] by the throat and he advised that he grabbed her face, so that she would look him in the eyes. I asked if he placed his thumbs over her eyes and applied pressure. Steven advised he used his thumbs to wipe away tears but did not press down hard.
Steven advised that he then gave her his CashApp Card and asked her to go get him something to drink. I asked what he did when she left, and he advised he went to his room to shoot up some dope. I asked what kind of dope and where it was, and he informed me that it was methamphetamine and was located on the table near his bed. Steven advised that he was given the methamphetamine for free by his ex-girlfriend. He stated that she gave it to him a while ago, that he was three weeks clean, and just happened to find it in his room.
APO. Wieregna and I went back inside the residence and checked for the contraband. [VICTIM #1] was made aware and pointed us to Steven’s room. On a table by his bed, there was a small orange needle cap with what looked like a piece of cotton stuffed inside. I removed the piece of cotton, which was wet and had a crystalline substance on it.
At the bottom of the cap, there was more of the crystalline substance in some kind of liquid. It was unable to be tested on scene but based on Steven’s admission and my previous experience and knowledge of the substance, I determined it to be methamphetamine.
[VICTIM #1] was made aware of safe shelters and other family violence outreach programs. She was given a Garden City Victim’s Pamphlet, with corresponding case number, and information on how to obtain a copy of this report. Adult protective services was notified of the incident, APS report #1068793.
Steven was charged with Aggravated Assault, False Imprisonment, Terroristic Threats and Acts-Felony, Possession of Tools During the Commission of a Crime, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Obstructing or Hindering Person Making an Emergency Telephone Call, Elder Abuse and Criminal Trespass- FV. He was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center, where he was processed and released into their custody. He is to be arraigned.
A victim notification pamphlet was filled out and turned into the jail staff. The screwdriver was entered into evidence. The suspected methamphetamine dried up and a sample was able to be tested with a field test kit. Results indicated a positive result for methamphetamine. This was entered into evidence as well and will be sent to the GBI for testing.
[End of Narrative]