Maria Owenby

Name:
Owenby, Maria Truesdale

Date of Booking:
03/11/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN FIRST DEGREE

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN FIRST 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.]

On Friday, March 6, 2026 at approximately 1441hrs I Deputy Jonathan Maney was dispatched to a overdose at [500 BLOCK] Cherry Cir, Cornelia GA 30531. Dispatch advised the caller stated a female on scene tried to drive drunk and took a whole bottle of Gabapentin. Dispatch stated they could hear shuffling and yelling in the background. I responded in a code three (emergency equipment activated) status.

Upon my arrival I found a female sitting in the doorway with blood on her face. The female was screaming and flailing around uncontrollably. The female was later identified as Maria Owenby. Once I determined that the scene was safe I notified Dispatch to send in EMS. Myself and Sgt Daniel Seely escorted Maria to the ambulance to be checked out. I then returned and cleared the residence.

After securing the residence I began speaking with people on scene. I spoke with Maria’s son identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told me that Maria had went to pick up his little brother [REDACTED BY AGENCY] at there grandmother’s house down the road. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that when they returned his brother [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told him that there mom had a black bag with what looked like a alcoholic beverage inside. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated he confronted Maria about the alcohol due to her promising the two children she would quit drinking.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that Maria flipped out and went into the laundry room. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that he and his aunt identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY] tried to take the alcoholic beverage (four loko) away from Maria. At some point a struggle began between the three in the laundry room. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said Maria then tried to leave in her van but couldn’t find the keys. Maria then entered the kitchen and picked up a chair throwing it across the center bar/island. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] said Maria picked up a metal basket but [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was able to get the basket from her.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that Maria then grabbed him by the hair and began striking him in the head with a closed fist. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated he struck Maria in an attempt to get her off him. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was able to help get Maria off [REDACTED BY AGENCY] a short time later.

Both [REDACTED BY AGENCY] then stated Maria picked up a prescription medication bottle of Gabapentin and consumed half the bottle. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] then in an attempt to take the medication away from Maria pushed her down close to the doorway and held her until law enforcement arrived. While all this was happening [REDACTED BY AGENCY] feared that he would be attacked and ran to hide in [REDACTED BY AGENCY] car.

Maria was taken by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham Campus where she was later medically 10-13 by a doctor. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was checked out by EMS on scene and released. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] grandmother identified as [REDACTED] arrived on scene in the midst of the incident.

I spoke with on call Department of Children Services where I explained the incident. The on call DFACS Investigator instructed me to turn both [REDACTED BY AGENCY] over to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] until there father could make it home. They were both turned over without incident and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was provided a case number.

I later requested and was granted the following warrants signed by Honorable Judge Amy Thomas.

Cruelty to Children 1st Degree x2.

I made contact with the Emergency Room charge nurse and advised her that I would have charges on Maria and to notify law enforcement prior to her release.

[End of Narrative]