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Name:
Etheridge, Eric Keith
Date of Booking:
06/14/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Battery
Cruelty to Children – 3rd Degree Witness – MISD
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 June 14, 2026]
On June 14, 2026 at approximately 1205 hours I, Officer Cousins 2153, was dispatched to 920 Highway 81 E McDonough, Georgia 30252 (Publix) in reference to a man assaulting a child in the parking lot. Upon arrival, I was met by multiple witnesses and a male later identified as Eric Etheridge [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the parking lot that was taken into custody for multiple charges.
I was met by the first witness, [WITNESS #1] [REDACTED BY AGENCY], who advised he was exiting the store to get inside of his vehicle when he noticed Eric Etheridge striking his children to what appeared to him, unnecessary force. [WITNESS #1] stated he then notified law enforcement. [WITNESS #1] stated he then used his black in color GMC Yukon bearing tag [REDACTED]== (Ga.) to prevent Etheridge from leaving the location.
I was then met by a second witness, [WITNESS #2] [REDACTED BY AGENCY], who advised she was at the location as well when she observed Eric Etheridge striking the children multiple times about the body with an amount of force that was unnecessary.
While speaking with Eric Etheridge, he advised he came to the location with his wife and 3 small children to go to the store. Etheridge stated that prior to arriving at the location he was having behavioral problems with the children. Etheridge then stated when he got to the location, he punished the children by striking them multiple times on the leg area for punishment.
Myself and Officer Sammons then briefly spoke with the children: [REDACTED BY AGENCY], [REDACTED BY AGENCY], and [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. While checking the welfare of the children, I noticed a red in color marking on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] right leg consistent with bruising and welts to the thigh area. I also noticed what appeared to be a partial hand print on her right leg consistent with a strike to the thigh area.
Eric Etheridge was then taken into custody with his hands placed behind his back with the handcuffs checked for fitness. Eric Etheridge was then placed in the rear of the patrol vehicle and mirandized. I then spoke with Eric’s wife, [REDACTED] [REDACTED BY AGENCY] who advised they arrived at the location together but she briefly separated from them to travel inside of the store. At the time of the incident , Eric Etheridge and his family were occupying a white in color GMC Acadia bearing tag number [REDACTED] ==(Ga.).
Eric Etheridge was transported to Henry County jail. A warrant for his arrest was obtained and signed by Judge D. Patton of the Henry County Magistrate Court. Upon arrival at the jail, Eric Etheridge was turned over to jail staff without incident.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on June 14, 2026]
On 06/14/2026 I, Ofc Cousins responded to 920 Highway 81 E (Publix) in reference to a disturbance. Multiple witnesses called in stating a white male was beating his child.
Upon arrival we spoke with the witnesses who advised the male, later learned to be Eric Etheridge, was striking his child over and over while she screamed in pain.
Myself and Ofc Sammons looked at the child, [REDACTED], who had a red and swollen welt on her right thigh area.
At that time Eric was placed under arrest with his hands cuffed to the rear. The handcuffs were checked for fit and double locked.
Eric was transported to the Henry County Jail where he was released to jail staff.
[End of Narrative]