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Written by: E. George
Published November 7, 2024 @ 1:30 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged physical violence against/neglect of children.
FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities arrested a 32-year-old Rome woman after they discovered her home, which housed children (ages 13 and 15) and pets, in “total disarray” and dangerous and deplorable conditions. A neighbor informed a responding Floyd County Police officer that the tenants were behind on rent and being evicted.
The officer noted a rancid odor of “feces, urine, dirt, and trash” as soon as they opened their vehicle door, and all sorts of debris and trash were strewn about everywhere. There were 2x4s, bicycles, broken furniture, multiple toilets, clothing, and feces covering the yard area and front porch, making walking difficult. The trailer had broken windows and a broken air conditioning unit hanging from one of them.
The officer returned five days later with a building inspector, who documented numerous issues. They spoke with Kiara Andrea Heyward, who said, “A lot of the condition of the home was there when [they] moved in.”
Heyward added that the trailer’s state was also “due to them packing because they were moving down to Decatur within a week’s time.”
Once inside, the officer saw that the home was “deplorable,” with the subfloors completely exposed and stained with “all kinds of fluids, bodily and otherwise.” There were some packed boxes, but most of the items that cluttered every room consisted of debris and trash.
The residence was infested with roaches and smelled “extremely strong.” The building inspector advised that he would submit an order for an emergency closure due to the home’s conditions. Heyward told them she understood.
The officer requested that animal control conduct a welfare check on the pets in the home due to the unsanitary conditions and also because they appeared thin.
DFCS was also notified.
A few days later, police received a request for a welfare check on two Armuchee students, Heyward’s children, but no contact was made at the home. While at Armuchee High School, staff notified officers that Heyward was en route to withdraw her children and return their Chromebooks.
Authorities detained her after she returned the equipment and completed the school paperwork. They transported her to the Floyd County Jail without incident, where she faces charges of first-degree child cruelty – deprivation of necessary sustenance, maintaining a disorderly house, and second-degree cruelty to children – criminal negligence/causing excessive physical/mental pain. This case is pending.
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 07, 2024]
On 8/7/2024 I received a complaint of a residence in Swan Lake MHP being smelly, trashy and in total disarray. I followed up the next day and could smell a rancid odor almost immediately after exiting my vehicle. As I approached the trailer I observed all kinds of debris such as numerous 2x4s strewn all over the place, bicycles, trash and other inside and outside debris. The smell became stronger and stronger the closer I got. The smell was of feces, urine, dirt and trash. I was unable to get onto the front porch due to it being covered in items such as trash, broken furniture, garbage, a couple of toilets, clothing items and feces. The trailer was in disrepair with broken windows and a broken window unit falling out of one of the windows.
I spoke to the neighbor across the street regarding this residence and was advised that there were children living with the their parents in the home as well as others. I was advised that the home had numerous animals as well. There was also mention that the tenants were several months behind on rent and are being evicted.
On 8/12/24 I went back out to the home with building inspection. The outside of the home was in the same condition. The gate door on the porch was open so I carefully stepped onto the porch and knocked on the door. After several minutes the female, Kiara Heyward, answered the door. I advised Heyward of who were and the reason for our visit. Heyward advised the condition of the home was due to them packing because they were moving down to Decatur within a week’s time. Heyward said a lot of the condition of the home was there when they moved in. Heyward offered to let us come in. I observed the inside of the home to be deplorable. The subfloors were completely exposed and stained with all kinds of fluids, bodily and otherwise.
There were packed boxes in some areas, but it appeared that most of the items inside were trash and debris. There were numerous areas of the floor that had several thick layers of dirt, grime and feces. The kitchen was in shambles with missing and broken cabinets, broken appliances, trash on the counters and floors. The trash was strewn all through the house, in every room. The home was infested with roaches as well. The smell was extremely strong inside. There were some issues with the structure itself that building inspection documented and will deal with. Heyward advised me that the kids haven’t slept in that home for the last few days, Heyward however, was asleep in it when we got there. Building Inspection advised that he will be putting in for am emergency close due to the conditions. B.I. advised it will be in court the following Monday. Heyward advised an understanding.
I called animal control and advised them of the sanitary issues in regards to the animals as well as one of the cats looking thin and the brown pit bull looking a little too thin. The age of the dog, 7 yrs old, and the breed being one that it toned naturally, it is possible that the dog is still healthy, but to be safe, I notified them for a welfare check.
I spoke with SRO Werner after the visit since the children were enrolled in Armuchee schools on 8/1/24 and let her know what the conditions of the home are. I am referring this case to DFCS for follow up.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on August 14, 2024]
On the morning of 08/14/2024 I had made contact with PFC. Carrington, our FCPD EPD Unit in reference to a case that involved several students that attended Armuchee high School. While conversing with PFC Carrington, she had asked if a welfare check could be done at [200 BLOCK] East Big Indian Trl in reference to two Armuchee Students living at that address. While looking into the name cards it was discovered that there was a warrant for the mother of the children in question.
Myself and SRO Werner completed a welfare check at the residence and did not make contact. We stopped by the office of the park and made contact with the manager. The manager provided information that there had been multiple violations posted to their door and that there was an eviction in process. I attempted to call Heyward, the suspect, and did not get an answer. I was able to make contact with a [REDACTED] who supposedly owned the trailer, but had not lived there for a while do to a separation from Heyward. I advised him that I needed to speak with Heyward if he made contact with her and he advised he would pass the message along.
While at Armuchee High School I was notified by staff that Heyward had called and advised that she was headed up there to withdraw her children and bring back their Chromebooks. Just like she said, Heyward arrived at the school and I made contact with her in the lobby. I escorted her into the conference room out of sight of any students and advised her of her warrant. Heyward signed the paperwork to return the Chromebooks and I placed her in handcuffs. Heyward was being cooperative and I allowed her to call her children who she confirmed were in Morrow, GA, where they would be going to school. Heyward also called someone to come get her vehicle at a later time. Heyward was then handcuffed behind the back, double locked, and placed in the back of my patrol car after the seat was checked and cleared. Heyward was transported to the Floyd County Jail without incident.
[End of Narrative]