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Name:
Oviedo-Pecina, Jennifer Paola
Date of Booking:
07/09/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN SECOND DEGREE
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN SECOND DEGREE
RECKLESS CONDUCT
RECKLESS CONDUCT
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 July 9, 2026 at approximately 11:40 hours, I, Deputy N. Ivester responded to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Clarkesville, Georgia in reference to a juvenile complaint. While enroute Habersham County 911 Dispatch advised the complainant identified as [WITNESS #1] saw a young girl approximately two years old standing in the middle of the road on Ellison street Clarkesville, Georgia. She and a co worker identified as [WITNESS #2] made contact with the young girl to try and find out where she lived.
Dispatch advised [WITNESS #1] went to the [REDACTED BY AGENCY] residence and saw that the front door was open and she could hear a baby screaming and crying inside. A short time later the mother identified as Jennifer Paola Oviedo-Pecina was seen walking back from the Dollar General located at 5859 State route 197 south Clarkesville, Georgia toward the residence. [WITNESS #1] and [WITNESS #2] stood by awaiting law enforcements arrival.
Before my arrival Officer B. Collins and Officer J. Frady with the Clarkesville Police Department arrived on scene as Jennifer was walking toward the front door of the residence. They made contact with Jennifer and stood by awaiting my arrival. Upon my arrival I spoke with Officer Collins and he stated he attempted to get her before she entered the residence by honking the horn multiple times and he stated she ignored this and walked into the residence.
Officer Collins and Officer Frady then knocked on the door multiple times before Jennifer opened it to speak with them. Officer Collins advised me of a strong language barrier and due to this Deputy Perkins who was also on scene contacted with Deputy E. Gonzales due to her being bilingual to speak with Jennifer.
Upon Deputy Gonzales arrival she spoke to Jennifer and stated to me that Jennifer left the residence for approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour on foot to pay a power bill and also get groceries at the Dollar General, leaving her [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and her [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. She stated this is not to the first time she was left the children home alone and she was advised of the possible dangers. Officer Collins also advised he had responded to the address for similar incidents. While speaking with Jennifer, Deputy Perkins met with the complainants to obtain a written witness statement from them.
[WITNESS #1] stated through the witness statement that while returning to her work after leaving the post office she noticed a young girl being [REDACTED BY AGENCY] standing in the middle of Ellison street. [WITNESS #2] and her then approached [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to try and find out where she lived. A neighbor then told them they saw Jennifer walk by a few minutes prior to [WITNESS #1] finding her and that she might be at the Dollar General. A co worker named [REDACTED] attempted to make contact at the [REDACTED BY AGENCY] residence and she stated [REDACTED] could hear [REDACTED BY AGENCY] screaming and crying from inside. He then went to check Dollar General to try and find Jennifer and [WITNESS #1] contacted 911 to report the incident.
Due to the children being left alone and the 2 year old daughter being found standing in the middle of the road, I contacted the on call Department of Children Services being [REDACTED]. Lt. G. Cason also contacted the on call investigator being M. Mendenhall about the incident. All units on scene stood by awaiting [REDACTED]’s arrival.
Upon her arriving a hold was placed on the children and custody was turned over to [REDACTED]. With the assistance of Deputy Gonzales Jennifer was placed under arrest with handcuffs being placed on her with her hands behind her back. The handcuffs were checked for fit and double locked. Lt. H. Lass conducted a search incident to arrest of her person and it revealed no contraband. She was then placed in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle and buckled in for safety. She was transported to the Habersham County Detention Center and custody was turned over to CID.
A back seat check of my patrol vehicle before and after transport revealed no contraband. Warrants were completed for two counts of Cruelty to children in the second degree and two counts of reckless conduct and they were reviewed and signed by Judge A. Thomas. [WITNESS #1] and [WITNESS #2]’s witness statements will be attached to this report.
[End of Narrative]