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Written by: E. George
Published February 10, 2023 @ 11:00 AM ET
Warning: The following story contains strong language and information regarding domestic violence. Discretion is advised.
Cherokee County (January 14, 2023) – Officers from the Woodstock Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance call at a Shannon Drive residence. The homeowner explained that her sister and nephew lived in her basement and had gotten into a physical altercation. The victim’s sister told the officers that her son slammed her into the wall, causing a hole, grabbed her hair, and strangled her for about eight seconds in front of her other two sons. She said she had difficulty breathing and started seeing stars.
The officers noted a red scratch with dried blood under her right eye, red marks on both cheeks, and red impressions and scratches on her neck. She denied medical treatment, and they photographed her injuries.
She explained that she and her three sons recently moved from Gwinnett County into her sister’s basement, and the interrupted sleep schedules caused friction in the household. She said her son, Devin Henderson, “wakes up with attitudes” and called her a “stupid b*tch” and a “lazy b*tch” in front of her sister.
When she gestured for him to approach her, he did by grabbing her and causing a hole in the drywall with her body. Trying to defend herself, she began pulling his hair. He pulled her hair, placed his hands around her neck, and squeezed. She stated he hit her in the face and then shoved his entire hand inside her mouth, trying to yank her jaw.
The officers asked Henderson what had happened, and he admitted to pushing his mother into the wall, pulling her hair, scratching her face, and putting his fingers in her mouth. He claimed she had grabbed his neck, but they only saw visible marks and scratches on his hands. He denied choking her; however, the officers reviewed the evidence on his mother’s neck.
The homeowner’s boyfriend had witnessed part of the altercation and attempted to split them up.
Officers arrested Henderson and charged him with battery, aggravated assault, criminal trespassing – damage of property, and two counts of third-degree cruelty to children. They transported him to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center without incident. This case is currently 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.]
On 1/14/2023 at approximately 1311Hrs, I Officer James Hayden, badge number 2221, along with Officer M. Chapman, Officer M. Brown, and Officer P. Bennett, responded to a residence located at [200 BLOCK] Shannon Drive in Woodstock, GA, 30188. The response was in reference to a domestic disturbance.
At approximately 1316Hrs, we arrived at the residence and were met outside by the owner of the home, a black female named [WITNESS #1] [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that her sister the (Complainant) [VICTIM #1] [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and her nephew Devin Henderson [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had gotten into an altercation”.
I asked Ms. [WITNESS #1] where Ms. [VICTIM #1] and Mr. Henderson were located. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that they lived in her basement, and verbally directed me to the entrance path to the dwelling, which is located at the rear side of the home. Before proceeding to the dwelling, I asked Ms. [WITNESS #1] what happened.
Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that complainant got out of her bed, walked up to Henderson, and starting yelling and screaming in his face. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that Mr. Henderson felt threatened by his mother which resulted in him pushing Ms. [VICTIM #1]. Ms. [WITNESS #1] proceeded to tell me that the altercation escalated with both parties pulling each other’s hair. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that she tried to separate them.
While I was gathering Ms. [WITNESS #1]’s statement, I could see a young black male walking up the driveway from the rear of the home, he was identified as Devin Henderson. Henderson met with Officer P. Bennett and started discussing what happened between him and his mother. Officer Bennett then walked with Ms. [WITNESS #1], and Mr. Henderson, into the front entrance of the home to continue the conversation.
Officer Chapman and I walked towards the back of the residence to continue the investigation. As I approached the entrance of the rear dwelling, I was met outside by the complainant. I introduced myself and asked what was going on. As the complainant began speaking, I noticed a red scratch under her right eye with dried blood and red markings on both sides of her cheeks. I noticed red impressions and small red scratches on her neck.
Complainant stated she recently moved into her sister’s basement from Gwinnett County along with her three sons, Devin Henderson, [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Complainant stated that since the new living situation and the interrupted sleep schedules, Henderson wakes up with attitudes [REDACTED BY AGENCY].
Complainant stated that she told Henderson to leave his [REDACTED BY AGENCY] alone, and that he responded back to the complainant calling her a “Stupid bit*h” and a “Lazy bit*h” due to the her recently quitting her job. Complainant stated that Henderson continued to disrespect her in the presence of Ms. [WITNESS #1].
The Complainant stated that she told Henderson, “If you’re going to talk like that, talk to me like this,” as the complainant made a come hear hand motion gesture pointing towards her face. Complainant stated that Henderson, got in her face, grabbed her, and slammed her into a wall causing a hole.
Complainant stated that she couldn’t do anything at that point, but to defend herself, she grabbed and yanked Henderson’s hair. Complainant reported that Henderson responded by grabbing her hair, putting his hand on her neck, and squeezed for approximately 8 seconds, causing complainant to have difficulty breathing and “see stars”. Complainant reported that Henderson hit her in the face, and then proceeded to shove his whole hand in her mouth to yank her jaw.
I asked complainant if she required any medical attention. Complainant refused and denied any medical attention/treatment. [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. She stated that they were okay and had witnessed the altercation that took place. I then entered the residence to lay my eyes on the two children. Both children did not present with any injuries and did not need medical care, or assistance.
I then scanned the living room to see if any damages were present. I witnessed a hole in the wall where the complainant stated she was slammed into. Once I finished my interview with Ms. [VICTIM #1], Officer Chapman and myself exited the dwelling, and walked to the front entrance of the home to speak with Henderson. Upon our arrival I asked Henderson to step outside, Henderson complied, I than asked Henderson what happened.
Henderson admitted during his statement that he did push his mother causing the hole in the wall. Henderson admitted to the hair pulling and the scratch under his mother’s eye. When asked about the choking allegation made by the complainant, Henderson denied choking his mother. Henderson did admit to putting his fingers into complainant’s mouth.
When I asked why, he stated that his mother was pulling his hair. Henderson stated that his mother grabbed his neck. Henderson was asked to expose his neck for our viewing to see if any injuries were present. No injuries were present. We asked Henderson to show his hands. Henderson had small red marks in various places on his hands along with fresh scratches that were present, that he accumulated from the altercation.
Once I gathered the information I needed from Henderson. Officer Chapman and I walked back down to the complainant’s dwelling, and took photos of her injuries. I read her the strangulation assessment card and noticed the red impression on the complainants neck that were visible during our first interaction had faded, but the scratches were still visible. The photos were burned onto a CD and submitted into evidence.
Officer Chapman and I walked back to the front entrance of the home, I had Henderson step outside with Officer Bennett momentarily, as I briefly spoke with Ms. [WITNESS #1]. I asked Ms. [WITNESS #1] if there were any other witnesses available that may have heard or seen anything. She stated that her boyfriend [WITNESS #2], may have heard something, and that she can ask him to come down stairs from his bedroom.
[WITNESS #2] comes down stairs and states that he was doing laundry, and heard loud noises and sounds of banging coming from the basement. [WITNESS #2] stated that he went down stairs to open the basement door, and witnessed Ms. [VICTIM #1] and Devin Henderson fighting and tried to split them up. Once I gathered all parties statements my investigation was concluded.
I placed Devin Henderson under arrest. Henderson was placed in a set of handcuffs behind the back, double locked and checked for fit. Henderson was searched incident to arrest and place in the rear seat of my patrol car where he was seat belted in. Henderson was transported to the Cherokee County ADC and released to the custody of deputies. The rear seat was searched prior to arrest and after transport to Cherokee County ADC.
On 01/14/2023 arrest warrants were signed by Judge Carson for the following charges,
Aggravated Assault (FVA)
Battery (FVA)
Criminal Trespass (FVA)
Cruelty to Children in the third degree (x2)
[End of Narrative]