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Name:
Franklin, Sarah Elizabeth
Date of Booking:
12/14/2024
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
BATTERY
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
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 December 14, 2024, at 1914 hours, I was dispatched to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in reference to a physical domestic dispute between boyfriend and girlfriend. While en route, dispatch advised that the girlfriend had blacked both of the complaints’ eyes and busted his lip. They also advised the girlfriend was chasing the compliant with an axe. Prior to deputies’ arrival, the complaint left the scene in his vehicle to avoid any more altercations with the girlfriend. She then got into her truck and chased him for a brief period before turning around and returning to the residents. The complainant also turned around and drove back to the residence.
While Lieutenant Barnes was en route to the residence, he observed the girlfriend pass him on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] He advised CPL Burgess to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle while he waited for the complaint to arrive. Cpl Burgess activated his emergency lights and audible sirens and conducted a traffic stop on the girlfriend’s vehicle, a grey Toyota Tacoma with a Florida license plate display of [REDACTED]. He made contact with the girlfriend and detained her.
I arrived on the scene of the traffic stop at approximately 1938 hours. I made contact with the driver; she was leaning up against the rear driver’s side of her vehicle. She was later identified as Ms. Franklin by her Florida driver’s license. I observed what appeared to be blood all over Ms. Franklin’s clothing. I asked her what happened and what took place tonight between her and her boyfriend, and she stated she did not know and had no idea. I asked her about the blood on her clothing, and she stated it was old and was from a deer. I explained to her that if something did occur between her and him, she needed to provide her side of the story so that we could gather as much information as possible. While talking to Ms. Franklin, I could see she had a small abrasion to her nose and she wanted me to feel a knot on the back of her head. I felt what appeared to be a knot on the back of her head. I asked Mr. Franklin how she received the injuries, and she would not tell me. She continued saying “I am not doing this”
I detained her in double-locked handcuffs, which were checked for fit. I escorted her to the rear passenger side of my patrol car, and she was placed in the rear seat. I then drove to the incident location, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] to make contact with the complainant.
Upon my arrival, I made contact with Mr. [VICTIM #1]. I asked him if he could explain what had occurred today between him and Ms. Franklin. Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated that it all transpired from the start of the day. He stated he woke up and cooked breakfast for the two. He stated he went to take Ms. Franklin breakfast and coffee while she was still in bed, and she told him she was not hungry and did not want the coffee. He stated he told her fine and went back to the kitchen to finish his breakfast. He stated that after he finished breakfast, he began to do a few chores around the house and noticed that the Christmas tree had fallen over due to a faulty tree base. So he told her he was going to retrieve a more sturdy Christmas tree base from storage. He stated she replied with a smart tone and said “okie dokie”.
He left the house and went and got the Christmas tree base. He stated when he returned to the house, they did not talk. He said she then got ready and left the house around 1230 hours. He stated she returned home around 1730 hours and appeared to be intoxicated. He said she started cleaning up. So he got up to help her clean up. And she told him that she did not need his help. So he backed off. He stated she was in the laundry room and he was going to go out in the garage. As he entered the laundry room, she slammed the washer machine door. As he attempted to pass her, she bumped into him intentionally. So he asked her what’s wrong with her and why she is acting like this towards him. He stated she then walked towards the bedroom door, turned around, and asked, “[REDACTED BY AGENCY] Mr. [VICTIM #1] said [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was a girl who he used to work with, and they had a brief conversation about him moving to Georgia. He tried to explain the conversation to Ms. Franklin and even allowed her the opportunity to look at the text messages for herself. He gives Ms. Franklin his phone, and she calls [REDACTED BY AGENCY] After a brief phone call between the two, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] hangs up on her, which causes her to become extremely mad. She then throws Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s phone against the wall in the dining room, knocking a hole in the wall.
He stated he tried to calm her down and asked her why she was acting in this manner when she read the text, and there was nothing out the way discussed between him and [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. He stated she then charged him and began striking him with open hands in the face repeatedly. He stated at the time, he just allowed her to slap him over and over, hoping that she would get her frustration out and quit. She then grabs him by his jacket and pushes his back into the door at the end of the hallway, causing the rear of his head to strike the door, putting a hole in the door. He stated she stopped briefly, so he attempted to exit the house through the garage. She followed him, grabbed him by his jacket, turned him around, and started striking him with a closed fist to his face. Striking him in the lip, eyes, ears, and forehead. He stated she then put him in a rear neck choke hold and attempted to choke him. He stated he tried to get her off of him and head butted her in the nose.
She lets him go and starts yelling at him to leave her house. He stated he told her he would leave just allow him to gather a few items before doing so. He stated she started throwing stuff all over the house. He stated there was an Axe leaning up against the entertainment center in the living room. He stated Ms. Franklin retrieved the axe and said, “I will fu*king show you,” and began chasing him with the axe. He ran out of the house through the garage, and she continued chasing him. Once in the yard, she swung the axe at him in an aggressive manner, like a baseball swing. He stated he then turned around, knowing she would not be fast enough to swing it again before he could try to force the axe away from her. He grabbed her, and they began wrestling over the axe. He had his phone in one hand and was going to try to call 911. She then grabbed his phone and threw it. He was able to “jerk” the axe away from her.
She then returned to the house and retrieved a set of limb clippers. She came back outside and began to swing them at him in the garage. He was able to get the clippers away from her. He stated it dawned on him that he had a firearm in his bedroom. He then ran inside to their bedroom to retrieve the firearm for self-defense because he feared for his safety and to keep her from getting it. As he exited the bedroom, she met him at the doorway and started hitting him again. He told her he had a gun in his hand for her to stop hitting him. She said shoot me. He said, “No, I’m not gonna fu*king shoot you. But I got a fu*king gun in my hand. You’re beating the sh*t out of me. Just fu*king stop.”
He then went out into the yard and secured the gun in his vehicle. He walked back into the house and she was throwing stuff she was also tearing the Christmas tree down dragging it out the front door into the yard. When I arrived on the scene, the tree was in the front yard. He has video footage of this. He then went into the garage and retrieved all the guns from the safe and secured them in his vehicle as she continued throwing and breaking items inside the house.
He stays outside. He hears stuff banging around inside the house, and then it gets quiet. He then goes to the backyard and peaks into the master bathroom window and sees her holding a kitchen knife to her throat. He videos this on his phone. She sees him and comes outside with a flashlight to look for him. He hides in the woods from her. She goes to his boat and starts throwing all of his fishing poles out of the boat and onto the ground. None of the poles appeared to be broken at this time.
He then called 911 at this time. Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated at some point during the altercation, she came at him with a butcher knife but was uncertain at what time. There were multiple knives throughout the house on counters, dressers, etc.
He then got in his truck and left to go to the end of the driveway to await our arrival. While pulling out of the yard, she threw a flashlight at his truck and missed. While waiting at the end of the road, he saw her headlights come up behind him aggressively as if she were going to run into him. He then begins to accelerate to get away from her. He approaches the stop sign on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] He has to disregard the stop sign to keep from ramming his vehicle. He starts traveling east on Ga 38. As he approaches the red light on GA 38 at SR-196E, he starts to slow down but realizes that she is not slowing down, so he disregards the red light and proceeds east on Ga 38. He called 911 again and advised them that she was now chasing him, trying to run into him. He continues east on Ga 38. She eventually turns around, and that’s when Cpl Burgess comes into contact with her.
I observed a laceration on the back of Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s head. Both of his eyes were black and swollen. He had a busted lip and an abrasion to his forehead and nose. There were redness and claw marks on his neck, which was consistent with being choked. His right arm had significant bruising and had the outline of a mouth imprint where she bit him during the altercation.
Lieutenant Barnes made contact with Detective Brantley and briefed her on the incident. She responded to the scene and photographed the damages, weapons, and injuries Mr. [VICTIM #1] sustained.
Detective Brantley advised Ms. Franklin that she was being placed under arrest at this time.
I requested that EMS be sent to the scene to clear Ms. Franklin of a complaint of her head hurting. EMS arrived on the scene and cleared her.
Mr. [VICTIM #1] was provided with a case report number and advised on how to obtain a copy of this report. He was also provided with a victim pamphlet and advised on remedies and services available in regards of this incident.
She was transported to Liberty County Jail without incident. She was turned over to jail staff, and a hold was placed on her per Detective Brantley. Detective Brantley will apply for warrants within the allotted time, and a first appearance will be conducted within 48 hours.
The rear seat of my parol car was cleared for contraband prior to leaving the jail.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
1/3/25
FIRST APPEARANCE
What this means: This was the defendant’s first court appearance after being arrested or charged. At this hearing, the judge informed the defendant of the charges and addressed bond and release conditions.
1/3/25
ORDER FOR BOND – CASH BOND OF $10,000 & $20,000 PROPERTY BOND
What this means: The judge set bond at $10,000 in cash or allowed a $20,000 property bond. This means the defendant could post money or use property as collateral to be released from custody.
1/3/25
SPECIAL BOND CONDITIONS
What this means: The court placed specific rules on the defendant while out on bond. These conditions may include restrictions such as no contact orders, travel limits, or avoiding new arrests.
1/3/25
BOND ($11,400)
What this means: A bond in the amount of $11,400 was posted for the defendant’s release. Once paid, the defendant was allowed to remain out of custody as long as all bond conditions were followed.
3/3/25
DEFENSE NOTICE OF APPEARANCE COURTNEY LERCH
What this means: Attorney Courtney Lerch filed paperwork stating that they represent the defendant. From that point forward, the attorney would receive court notices and handle the case.
7/16/25
CONSENT BOND MODIFICATION
What this means: The court approved changes to the defendant’s bond conditions, and both sides agreed to the modification. This could involve adjusting restrictions or other release terms.
1/7/26
DISMISSED OFFENSE CRIMINAL TRESPASS (DAMAGE)
What this means: The charge of criminal trespass involving damage was officially dismissed on this date. This means that specific offense was dropped and will not move forward in court.
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