Get notified by email when this case is updated.
The Georgia Gazette is actively monitoring this case. Check back for the latest updates as more information becomes available.
Name:
Wiggins, Swayzine Virginia
Date of Booking:
03/23/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 1ST DEGREE
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 1ST DEGREE
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 1ST DEGREE
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 March 23, 2026]
On March 23, 2026, I, Officer Austin 483, was on duty with Patrol A-1 of the Brunswick Police Department (BPD). I was in full BPD patrol uniform, equipped with Axon 4 digital camera. My vehicle for the day was the marked patrol car 23-2. I was dispatched to a possible child abuse at [1200 BLOCK] Albany Street, Glynnvilla Apartments.
The complainant was identified as Michael Edwards (complainant/offender/boyfriend/father of one of the children). Mr. Edwards advised that the children’s mother had left multiple children alone at the residence. He stated he was en route to retrieve his child but advised that there were additional children present who were not his. Mr. Edwards stated that his child, later identified as [VICTIM #1], is approximately 9 months old. He advised he did not know the ages of the other children inside the residence.
Mr. Edwards identified the children’s mother as Swayzine Virginia Williams, later confirmed to be Swayzine Virginia Wiggins (offender/mother). Mr. Edwards stated that Ms. Wiggins had been talking crazy and appeared not to know what was going on. Mr. Edwards further stated that he was going to pick up his child and wanted everyone to be aware of the situation due to the children being left alone. He added that he had previously been incarcerated for a similar incident.
Upon arrival at [1200 BLOCK] Albany Street, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (Glynnvilla), I made contact at the front door. I knocked several times and announced my presence as law enforcement; however, there was no response. I then checked the door and found it to be unlocked. Due to the nature of the call, I opened the door and again loudly announced my presence multiple times before entering the residence.
Upon entry, the interior of the residence was dark and quiet. In the living room area, I observed clothing scattered across the floor and couch. In the kitchen area, there was additional clothing and trash scattered on the floor, along with a puddle of water in front of the refrigerator.
Officer Lemay, Officer Brooks, and I proceeded to clear the remainder of the residence. The hallway light was inoperable. As we moved up the stairway, a juvenile Black male later identified as [VICTIM #2] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY] 2023) (victim) came to the top of the stairs. He was wearing a black shirt and a diaper. [VICTIM #2] stated that he and his brother were in the room sleeping.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, clothes and trash were scattered all through the hallway. I checked the first bedroom on the left. The room was unoccupied. Clothing was scattered throughout the room, and there was a black and gray single mattress on the floor covered with clothing and trash.
I then checked the bedroom on the right, where I observed another child later identified as [VICTIM #3] (DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY] 2024) (victim). [VICTIM #3] was lying on a mattress and box spring placed on the floor. He was wearing a t-shirt and underwear that was soiled with feces. PFC Jenkins and I searched for diapers and wipes within the residence. One diaper was located in a pile of clothing in the bedroom I removed the soiled underwear from [VICTIM #3], cleaned the feces from his body, and placed him in a clean diaper.
Ms. Wiggins (offender/mother) arrived to the scene, driving a black Chevrolet Traverse. Ms. Wiggins was detained and read her Miranda Rights. Ms. Wiggins stated that she and Michael Edwards had been arguing the previous night and into the morning. She advised that she left the residence at approximately 0500 hours to go to work and stated that she works for Help At Home on Gloucester Street.
Ms. Wiggins stated that she asked Mr. Edwards that morning if he could keep the children, and he agreed to do so. Ms. Wiggins further stated that Mr. Edwards repeatedly called her while she was at work and told her that he was going to contact law enforcement and report that she left the children home alone. Ms. Wiggins stated that she was later contacted by a neighbor, who informed her that law enforcement was at her residence. Ms. Wiggins also advised that she currently has an open DFCS case.
I made contact with Cpl. Wright (CAPAC Officer) in reference to video footage. Cpl. Wright advised that Ms. Wiggins and Mr. Edwards were observed outside their apartment appeared to be arguing. Ms. Wiggins left the residence and did not return prior to law enforcement arrival. After Ms. Wiggins left, Mr. Edwards was observed walking out of the apartment with 2 children in his arms and went back in the apartment.
[VICTIM #3] and [VICTIM #2] were released to [REDACTED] (Swayzine’s sister) per Ms. Wiggin’s request. Ms. Wiggins was advised that she was under arrest and was transported to the Glynn County Detention Center without incident, where she was released to booking staff.
At approximately 1210 hours, I made contact with Michael Edwards at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Amherst Street. Mr. Edwards was observed reclining in the driver’s seat of a black Nissan vehicle with no license plate, with his daughter, [VICTIM #1], lying on his chest. Mr. Edwards was advised that he was under arrest and was placed in handcuffs, secured behind his back. He was searched incident to arrest, and no contraband was found.
Mr. Edwards was read his Miranda Rights and chose not to speak with me. While being transported to the Glynn County Detention Center Mr. Edwards stated that Ms. Wiggins did not have to work that morning. Mr. Edwards was transported without incident and released to booking staff.
[VICTIM #1] were released to [REDACTED] (Michael’s sister) per Mr. Edwards request. DFAC was notified of the incident and made aware of the placement of the children.
Ms. Wiggins and Mr. Michael were involved in a prior, similar incident on September 14, 2025, documented under case number 25BP23751. Ms. Wiggins and Mr. Edwards does live together.
I made contact with [REDACTED] (Caregiver Supervisor) with Help At Home. Ms. [REDACTED] stated that Ms. Wiggins was not scheduled to report to work until 1300 hours.
Ms. Wiggins charged with cruelty to children in the 1st Degree times 3 and Mr. Edwards is charged with cruelty to children in the 1st Degree times 2.
Warrants will be filed.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on March 23, 2026]
On Monday, March 23, 2026, at approximately 0923 hours, I, Officer LeMay (#470), was assisting another officer with a child abuse case at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Glynnvilla.
Upon arrival, Ofc. Austin knocked on the door with no response. Ofc. Austin attempted to open the door and the door was unlocked. Due to the possibilty of there being kids in the residence, myself and other officers went inside the residence at [10 BLOCK] Glynvilla.
When we entered the residence we came in contact with two children. When walking through the house, there were clothes scattered across the floor, water all over the kitchen floor. Bedrooms without sheets, the youngest child had a soiled diaper, the kids also were not fully clothed, and we couldn’t find clothing for the children.
Ofc. Austin arrested the mother when she arrived on scene.
I then took pictures of the household and the living situations of the children.
Ofc. Austin took the initial report.
[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:
3/23/26
BOOKING FOR CRUELTY TO CHILDREN — 1ST DEGREE
What this means: Swayzine Virginia Wiggins was arrested and booked into custody in Glynn County on charges of cruelty to children in the first degree. This is a felony charge involving alleged harm to a child.
4/2/26
MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING AND BAIL REDUCTION FILED
What this means: The defendant’s attorney filed a request asking the court to hold a preliminary hearing (where the prosecution must present evidence to show probable cause that a crime occurred) and to reduce or reconsider the bail amount set at booking.
4/14/26
PRELIMINARY HEARING HELD
What this means: The court held a hearing where the prosecution presented evidence. The judge then decided whether there was enough evidence to believe a crime had been committed and whether the defendant should remain bound over to a higher court for trial.
4/14/26
BOUND OVER TO STATE COURT — CHARGES REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR RECKLESS CONDUCT
What this means: After the preliminary hearing, the judge found probable cause and sent the case to Glynn County State Court (the higher trial court). However, the original felony charges of cruelty to children in the first degree were reduced to three counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct on warrants 260325407, 260325408, and 260325409. A misdemeanor is a less serious offense than a felony and carries lighter potential penalties.
8/17/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR 8/17/26 AT 9:00 AM
What this means: Swayzine Virginia Wiggins has a court appearance scheduled in Glynn County Superior Court. At an arraignment, the defendant will be informed of the charges (the three counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct), advised of rights, and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is typically the first appearance in Superior Court after a case is bound over from Magistrate Court.