Tenisha Williams

Name:
Williams, Tenisha Nova

Date of Booking:
8/3/2021

Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 1ST DEGREE

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the officer’s narrative report. We do not fix any spelling or grammatical errors. Any changes made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on July 26, 2021]

On the above date I, Det. Futch, was contacted by Lt. M. Wilson in reference to 3 children ages 5, 3 and 1 that were left unattended. Lt. Wilson stated the these children were outside on yesterday without any adult supervision and found by the neighbor. He stated that he was told that the one year old was naked. He stated that the electricity was off and the children had not been fed in the past 2 days. He stated that he needed some assistance from DFACS.

He stated that a referral had been completed through the child abuse hotline. I provided him with [REDACTED] cell phone number but he did not get an answer. I then contacted [REDACTED] with DFACS, she stated that the referral had just came through but it was not noted that immediate assistance was needed. I advised her that we needed DFACS to respond to this location as soon as possible.

[REDACTED] from DFACS responded to this location. I made contact with Ofc. Seawell, Joyce Depp (Code Enforcement)and [REDACTED] in reference to these children. I was advised that the neighbor did not call on 7/25/2021 when the children were unattended because she took care of the children at her residence. I was advised that the mother Tenisha Williams was supposedly in Savannah working. [WITNESS #1] is the neighbor and sister to [WITNESS #2] which is where the children were supposed to staying at. I spoke to [WITNESS #2] who was also present. He stated that he did allow Tenisha and her children to come stay at his house. He stated that they have been at his residence since last week. He stated that Tenisha was in Savannah working and her 18 year old daughter who is referred to as Ne-Ne was supposed to have been watching the children to his knowledge. He stated that he has two jobs and has been at work. He did call Tenisha and I requested that she do a video call so that she can see that I’m a police officer and I wanted to know her whereabouts. Denisha Carroll aka “Ne-Ne” was not at this location when I arrived.

[WITNESS #2] did use his cellular phone to video call Tenisha. She stated that she left her children with her daughter Denisha because she had to go to work in Savannah. She stated that she left earlier on this date. Tenisha’s main concern was why was the police or anyone calling her because she was not there and she thought she left her children with someone that was responsible.

I explained to her that I was calling her because these are her children and she is responsible for them. I advised her of the living conditions of this apartment which I had been advised by Ofc. Seawell and Depp. She stated that she was not aware of this and when she left the electricity was on. I advised her that the electricity was off but [WITNESS #2] had just paid the bill. She stated that [WITNESS #2] has prepaid lights and she paid $35.00 on his light bill when she got to Brunswick. She could not give me a specific day/date on when she got to Brunswick. She finally admitted that she did enter [WITNESS #2]’s apartment to see that he did not have any furniture or anything for the children to sleep on. She stated that she was getting on highway 95 and it would take her a hour and 20 minutes. I did take a picture of the phone to show what time I spoke with her which was 2:51 pm. She kept yelling and attempting to argue with me, so I advised her that I would speak with her face to face once she arrives.

[WITNESS #2] did allow me to enter his residence to take pictures. I did observe some bags with food on the counter and some items in the refrigerator but the children would not be able to prepare any of these items for themselves. I then went upstairs and took pictures of the room where the children were sleeping. This room did not have a bed but there were crumbs from potato chips and other food items all over the floor. [WITNESS #2] stated that Tenisha and her children were sleeping in the room and she was aware that he did not have any furniture up stairs for them to sleep on. He stated that he is in and out a lot but has not seen Tenisha since Friday. [WITNESS #2] was able to get in contact with [WITNESS #3] who is the father of [JUVENILE #1]. He arrived on scene and spoke with [REDACTED].

[WITNESS #4] who is the aunt of [JUVENILE #2] and [JUVENILE #3]. She only agreed to take [JUVENILE #2] at first due to the family not believing that [JUVENILE #3] was her brother [REDACTED] biological son. [WITNESS #4] did take custody of both [JUVENILE #2] and [JUVENILE #3]. [WITNESS #3] took custody of [JUVENILE #1] with the authorization of [REDACTED].

I will note that I left this location at 1630 hours and Tenisha had not arrived. I advised [WITNESS #2], [WITNESS #4] and [WITNESS #3] to call the police if Tenisha shows up acting out of character due to her calling wanting to know why her children were going with their family members.

[End Of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on July 26, 2021]

On 07/26/2021, I was dispatched to a welfare check on [2300 BLOCK] Reynolds St. Upon my arrival, I knocked on the door to apt [REDACTED]. A female, Denisha Carroll answered the door holding a baby. I explained to Denisha why we were called and spoke to her about her involvement with the kids. Denisha would not open the front door and spoke to me with the door slightly ajar.

At this time, another officer was speaking with the caller, [WITNESS #1]. Ms. [WITNESS #1] lives in the adjacent apartment to the right of apartment [REDACTED]. I asked Denisha where the children’s mother was and she stated she was at the apartment this morning but she left early. Denisha stated she arrived at the home around 9 am. When I arrived at the home, Denisha stated the children had just woken up.

I then went to speak with [WITNESS #1], who stated she had called the police due being concerned about the kids. Ms. [WITNESS #1] advised on 07/25/2021, Ms. [WITNESS #1] was sitting in the backyard when she observed 3 young children walking around outside by themselves. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated the youngest wearing nothing but a T-shirt. Ms. [WITNESS #1] also stated the children were filthy. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated she gathered the children and kept them with her for 2 hours while she was attempting to contact an adult for them. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated she wanted to give the parent the opportunity to come get the kids before calling the police.

Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated [WITNESS #2], attempted to call the children’s mom several times but she was no where to be found. Someone then got a hold of the older sister, Denisha who was eventually able to come get them. Denisha told Ms. [WITNESS #1] then children were going to the grandmother’s home in North Carolina. However, the children were still at the residence upon our response. Ms. [WITNESS #1] explained what the children were wearing when she was watching them on 7/26/2021, and it was the same clothing they were still in when I observed them. Ms. [WITNESS #1] was also concerned the children hadn’t eaten dinner then night she returned them to Denisha.

At this time, I spoke to [WITNESS #2] who stated he was the children’s uncle. I asked Denisha when the last time she heard from her mother was and she stated yesterday. I asked Denisha again if mom was at the house today and she stated yes but she left early.

I asked both Denisha and [WITNESS #2] if I could look inside of the home to make sure the children had everything they needed. When I walked into the home, I noticed food all over the entry way and all the way up the stairs. There were chips, crackers and crumbs covering the floor. I attempted to turn on the electric but it was cut off. I walked in the kitchen and it was filthy. There was not an adequate amount of food in the kitchen to support the children’s needs. The kitchen sink was full of dishes and the counters were full of items and dirty pots. The living room floor had several soiled diapers laying on the ground and there were children’s toys in the home. I went upstairs, which was carpeted and full of old food. The children’s room was located at the top of the stairs to the left. There was no bed, no children’s clothes or toys in the room. The floor in this room was also covered in old food. The house smelled like trash throughout.

I advised Sgt. Tolley of the conditions in the home. She advised me to contact code enforcement who responded. Officers and code enforcement officers walked through the home due to the power being off. At this time, I called DFACS in order to report this situation. I explained to DFACS that I needed someone to respond my location based on the living conditions. DFACS asked if I felt the children were in immediate danger, to which I stated no, as officer’s were on scene and waiting for DFACS.

While waiting to hear from DFACS, I continued to ask Denisha more questions. I asked her what time mom, Tenisha Williams usually gets home from work. Denisha stated around 1.

At this time, I called Tenisha to see when she would be coming to speak with us. I was able to contact her and speak briefly, then we got disconnected. I called her back and she put me on hold. I called her back again and she was agitated. I asked her where she lives and she stated she was in between places but the kids have been staying on Reynolds St. Ms. Williams advised she and the kids were staying in different hotels. Ms. Williams continued to bring up her 18 year old daughter walking to work and was not concerned that police were out with the younger children. When I asked her what the address was in North Carolina where she stays and she yelled at me that she was driving and she didn’t know right now. She also stated she couldn’t deal with all of this because she was driving.

Ms. Williams then stated she has never been away from any of her kids for this long. She finally stated she lived at 4501 Lee St., Eden, NC. I later looked that address up, and was not able to find it using Google. Ms. Williams advised that they have only been staying for a few days while she was working in Savannah. When officers explained why we were at the residence to Ms. Williams she didn’t understand and needed the officer to explain why were concerned with the children’s safety. When officers explained that the children were left home alone the day prior, Ms. Williams stated she had no knowledge of this and again began to talk about the money she needed to make for her eldest daughter.

DFACS worker [REDACTED] arrived and reached out to Tenisha who stated she was on her way from Savannah.

I asked [WITNESS #2] what time he had arrived home on 7/26/2021 and he stated he was gone most of the night for work. He stated he arrived home around 11 PM and I asked him if he knew if the kids were fed. [WITNESS #2] stated yeah probably but he wasn’t sure.

Detective Futch and Jordan arrived on scene and called Tenisha. Tenisha answered and told Det. Futch she was on her way to Brunswick. Det. Futch asked Tenisha who she left the kids with and she said when she left, everybody was there. Det. Futch asked specifically who the children were left with and she stated, “my daughter.”

At this time, DFACS was able to find adults to place the children with. The youngest child was placed with his father, [WITNESS #3]. The two older children were placed with [WITNESS #4]. Ms. [REDACTED] released the children to these adults. Warrants will be completed on both Tenisha and Denisha Williams. This ends my involvement in this matter.

[End Of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #3 on July 27, 2021]

At 1736 hours, I was dispatched a call in regards to a follow up. I called the caller, Denisha Williams back. Ms. Williams asked for the officers on scene’s name and badge numbers to which she was provided.

I asked Denisha what time she got the kids from the neighbor on 7/26/2021 and she stated she wasn’t really sure. I asked her what time she left the apartment to which she stated 2. I asked who was home with the kids and she stated [WITNESS #2]’s uncle. I asked her what time she returned to the home, but she wasn’t sure. She said when she left, she got a phone call from [WITNESS #2] stating that the kids were outside. (referring to when the neighbor found them.) She stated she got to the kids around 5.

I asked her who exactly she left the kids with when she left the house and she stated [WITNESS #2]’s uncle. Denisha stated he must have been unaware that she was leaving so he left. Denisha stated she was not covering for her mom, because her mom takes care of the kids. I asked Denisha the uncle’s name that she left the kids with, to which she did not know.

I asked her if she told the uncle that she was leaving and she advised she did tell him an hour before leaving the house. Denisha was unaware of what time the uncle left the house. Denisha stated she locked the doors when she left. I asked Denisha again about the man she left the children with and she stated she had no name or number but the kids call him [REDACTED].

[End Of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #4 on July 27, 2021]

On the above date I made contact with Ofc. Seawell in reference to Child Abuse at [2300 BLOCK] Reynolds Street. Ofc. Seawell had advised the home was without electricity and was currently occupied by tenants. I advised Ofc. Seawell to make contact with Code Enforcement to see if they were able to respond to her location. Lt. Wilson was also notified and began efforts to reach out to a local DFACS case worker.

I entered the home and observed the entire residence in a disarray. Upon entry to the home there was a profound odor of old garbage. I observed empty food packaging throughout the flooring of the residence along with food items and crumbs. The kitchen was rather nasty and the available food was limited and stored out of reach of the small children.

Upstairs in the bedroom to the left after the staircase is where the children were to be sleeping. There was not any bedding furniture present and there was also food, crumbs and garbage on the floor. It was about this time I became overwhelmed with the unpleasant odor and had to exit the residence.

Ofc. Seawell advised contact had been made with the mother of the children and she was en route. I then resumed normal patrol operations.

[End Of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #5 on July 30, 2021]

On July 30, 2021, I called Ms. Denisha Williams in regards to case 23428. I asked Ms. Williams again who she left the children with on 07/25/2021, when they were discovered unattended for hours. Ms. Denis ha stated it was [WITNESS #2]’s uncle. Ms. Williams stated she did not know his name, his name or phone number when she left the children. She also stated she had just met him the day before. Ms. Denisha then stated she was at work and hung up the phone.

I then called [WITNESS #2] to find out more about his uncle. [WITNESS #2] stated his uncle’s name is [REDACTED]. [WITNESS #2] stated [REDACTED] may have been around when Tenisha was at the house but he wouldn’t have been left in charge of the kids. [WITNESS #2] stated that [REDACTED] visits here and there but wouldn’t have taken the responsibility of watching the kids. I asked [WITNESS #2] for any contact information but he stated [REDACTED] does not have a phone. [WITNESS #2] said he would have [REDACTED] call me when he sees him again.

[End Of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #6 on August 03, 2021]

On August 3rd 2021, at about 2:45PM, in the area of GA 27 and Butler Drive, I stopped a 1998 gold Mercedez bearing Georgia registration [REDACTED] for having the driver side brake light out.

I made contact with the driver, identified as Tenisha Williams. I explained the reason for the stop and conducted a GCIC/NCIC check on Williams. It was determined Williams had an active felony warrant issued by the Brunswick Police Department for Cruelty to Children 1st degree.

I placed Williams under arrest and transported her to the Glynn County jail where I released her to the custody of Brunswick Police Officer D. Robinson #441.

Williams’s car was removed from the scene by CKA AUto Wrecker due to not having any valid insurance.

[End Of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #7 on September 09, 2022]

Om September 9 2022, I responded to 100 mariner’s way in reference to a wanted person. On the above date I met with college police who had a Ms. Denisha Carroll in the office.

Officer 307 informed me after running her information in reference to another call they were informed she had an active warrant through BPD. Officer 307 informed me they called Ms. Carroll and she came down to turn herself in. I placed Ms. Carroll in handcuffs which were double locked and checked for tightness before transporting her to the Glynn County Police Department. While at the CDC I served Ms. Carroll warrant # 21-W01004, Cruelty to Children in the 1st degree.

After completing all proper paper work Ms. Carroll was released to the staff for further processing. An NCIC removal form was completed.

[End Of Narrative]