Michael Nelson

Name:
Nelson, Michael Brandon

Date of Booking:
08/11/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
BATTERY FAMILY VIOLENCE

BATTERY FAMILY VIOLENCE

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 2ND DEGREE (FELONY)

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 2ND DEGREE (FELONY)

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 2ND DEGREE (FELONY)

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 2ND DEGREE (FELONY)

PROB VIOLATION-FANNIN

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 August 11th, 2026, at approximately 1616 hours, I, Deputy Michael Healy #541 was dispatched to the report of a physical domestic violence incident at the address of [REDACTED] that involved several juveniles. Dispatched informed me that the victim, [VICTIM #1], had left the residence and would meet with Deputies at Pleasant Gap Baptist Church. I responded Code 3 (Lights and Sirens Active) to meet with the victim. Corporal (CPL) Clay Hughes #520, Deputy Jake Knight #543, and Deputy Blake Heptinstall #537 responded with me to meet with Mrs. [VICTIM #1].

Upon our arrival, I observed a silver in color sedan in the parking lot of the church. I parked car #621 in front of it and got out. My BWC (Body Worn Camera) was active. I walked up to the vehicle and was greeted by Mrs. [VICTIM #1]. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] was crying and clearly distraught. I asked Mrs. [VICTIM #1] what had happened. She informed me that she had arrived at the address of [REDACTED] at approximately 1545-1600 hours. She stated that everything initially appeared normal, and she got [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] into the shower. While two of the children were showering, she began cooking dinner.

She stated that while she was cooking dinner, she made a statement to her boyfriend, Michael Nelson, that she needed to figure out something to get a car. She then stated that this statement angered Mr. Nelson and he stood up from the couch. Mr. Nelson approached her, and backed her into the doorway that separated the kitchen from the laundry room. She stated the doorway was directly in front of the stove that she was using to cook. This motion caused her to pick up her phone and begin recording a video in case Mr. Nelson became physical with her.

She stated that Mr. Nelson then grabbed the phone out of her hand, and while doing so, grabbed the necklace that was around her neck. When he pulled the phone away from her, he also ripped her necklace from her neck causing minor redness to the area of her chest directly under her throat. This injury was photographed on my BWC at this time. She stated that Mr. Nelson would not return the phone to her. This prompted her to tell her children, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to go put their shoes on so they could leave, and she was holding their 10-month-old, [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Mrs. [VICTIM #1] went into [REDACTED BY AGENCY] room with all the children, and Mr. Nelson followed them. She stated that Mr. Nelson attempted to corner them in [REDACTED BY AGENCY] room. She then got around him and went into [REDACTED BY AGENCY] room with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to get him dressed as he had just got out of the shower. She then stated that Mr. Nelson went into the room with them and grabbed [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. She stated that she grabbed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] shoulders to keep him from Mr. Nelson, while stating “Don’t touch my son.” While they struggled over possession of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Mrs. [VICTIM #1] claimed that Mr. Nelson bit her on the right exterior forearm, in an attempt for her to release [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. I observed a red mark approximately 3 inches in length on Mrs. [VICTIM #1]’s right exterior forearm. This injury was photographed on my BWC.

She then stated that she attempted to open the window in [REDACTED BY AGENCY] room, so she and the children could get out, but Mr. Nelson slammed the window shut. This then prompted her and the rest of the children to leave [REDACTED BY AGENCY] room and go back out into the dining room. She then stated that Mr. Nelson ran to block them from exiting out of the front by keeping them in the hallway that separated the bedrooms from the dining room. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] then stated that Mr. Nelson said, “You’re not taking my son.”, and then punched her in the face. After striking her, he pushed her up against the wall, all while she is clutching her 10-month-old baby.

She stated that Mr. Nelson grabbed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] under his arms, in an attempt to remove him from her arms. While struggling over the baby, she stated that Mr. Nelson elbowed her twice. I then asked to see [REDACTED BY AGENCY] back and discovered numerous red marks down the right side of his back. The injuries observed on 10-month-old [REDACTED BY AGENCY] were photographed with my BWC. I also assessed the injury to Mrs. [VICTIM #1]’s face from being punched. I observed redness and swelling around her left orbital socket, along with the onset of green bruising. This injury is conducive to being struck with a closed fist. I then photographed this injury with my BWC.

Mrs. [VICTIM #1] then stated that after she was elbowed, Mr. Nelson grabbed 9-year-old [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and “slung” him. She then stated that 7-year-old [REDACTED BY AGENCY] began yelling at Mr. Nelson stating, “Don’t touch my mommy, don’t hit my mommy, she’s pregnant.”. She then stated that she and her children got away from Mr. Nelson and ran to their car parked outside the front door. She stated that she had got the children in the car and Mr. Nelson followed them out to the car in an attempt to stop them from leaving. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] stated that Mr. Nelson attempted to grab [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to prevent her from getting in the car. Her and then children then left the residence and she called 911.

While on scene with them, I did not observe any apparent injuries on either [REDACTED BY AGENCY] or [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. After I finished speaking with Mrs. [VICTIM #1], her and the children then began getting assessed by Gilmer EMS. After receiving this statement from Mrs. [VICTIM #1] and observing their physical injuries, myself, CPL Hughes, Deputy Knight, and Deputy Heptinstall went in route to the address of [REDACTED]. Upon our arrival, I observed a grey in color double wide manufactured home. I exited car #621 and approached the residence. As we approached, we discovered smoke billowing out of the open window and front door.

I and other Deputies entered the residence to search for Mr. Nelson. Mr. Nelson was no longer in the residence. While in the residence, Deputy Knight discovered the source of the smoke. It was the dinner Mrs. [VICTIM #1] was cooking which had burned. Deputy Knight turned the stove off to prevent it from catching fire. All Deputies then exited the residence to search the exterior of the property for Mr. Nelson. Deputy Heptinstall and I walked around the rear of the double wide. While behind the home, Deputy Heptinstall informed me that he heard a faint noise coming from the direction of the woods. We pursued the sound.

Mr. Nelson was discovered hiding in the woods behind the residence. Mr. Nelson was then ordered to the ground and to place his hands behind his back, to which he complied. Deputy Heptinstall placed him into cuffs. Mr. Nelson stated several times that he swore he was on his way back to talk with us. Mr. Nelson was then assisted on to his feet and escorted by me and Deputy Heptinstall to the front of patrol car #422. While sitting on the brush guard, I read Mr. Nelson the Miranda Warning, to which he agreed to answer my questions.

I asked him what happened this evening and he informed me that he didn’t know, and he stated that [VICTIM #1] always does this. He informed me that Mrs. [VICTIM #1] attempted to leave and take the kids. To note, Mr. Nelson stated that he was the one holding [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and Mrs. [VICTIM #1] was the one attempting to remove him from Mr. Nelson’s arms. Mr. Nelson was then placed into the rear seat of patrol car #222 and transported to the Gilmer County Detention Center by LT Hefner #510.

After this, all Deputies left the scene. I and Sergeant (SGT) Robinson #534, went back to Pleasant Gap Baptist to fill out paperwork with Mrs. [VICTIM #1]. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] completed a witness statement and victims notification paperwork was completed for Mrs. [VICTIM #1]. While out with Mrs. [VICTIM #1], a DFACS referral was completed. To note, at the time of this incident, Mrs. [VICTIM #1] was pregnant with Nelson’s child.

Due to the testimonial and physical evidence gathered, Mr. Nelson was determined to be the predominant aggressor and is charged as follows.

O.C.G.A 16-5-23.1(f) Battery Family Violence, times 2
O.C.G.A 16-5-70 Cruelty To Children 2nd Degree, times 4

[End of Narrative]