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Name:
Burkes, Shaunta
Date of Booking:
03/06/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
BATTERY
BATTERY
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN IN THE 3RD DEGREE 3RD OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE
HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OF ACCIDENT
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 3/5/26 at 2040 hours, I was dispatched to [600 BLOCK] Slade St in reference to a domestic disturbance. Dispatch advised the complainant’s ex-wife was at his residence, fighting his girlfriend and another female.
I arrived on scene and made contact with [REDACTED BY AGENCY], who stated his ex-wife, Shaunta Burkes, started texting and calling him about their eldest daughter. He stated he had taken her to get her hair done for her birthday and was not at the residence. He stated Mrs. Burkes came to his residence and began banging on his door. When he opened the door, Mrs. Burkes began arguing with him about their daughter. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] girlfriend, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was standing behind him in the living room.
He stated Mrs. Burkes and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] began to argue. Mrs. Burkes ran past him in the doorway and began punching [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the face. He stated the two women began fighting. He stepped out of the residence and called 911. He stated Mrs. Burkes left the residence after his sister used mace. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated his eight-month-old daughter, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was on the couch when the incident occurred.
I spoke to Mrs. [VICTIM #1], who stated she was in the living room when Mrs. Burkes began banging on the door. She stated when [REDACTED BY AGENCY] opened the door, she stayed behind him. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] began arguing with her and ran into the house and punched her in the face. She stated she began fighting with Mrs. Burkes, trying to get her off of her. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] stated her friend, [REDACTED BY AGENCY], attempted to pull Mrs. Burkes off of her. Mrs. Burkes grabbed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] by her braids and threw her to the floor.
I observed blood on Mrs. [VICTIM #1]’s shirt. The neck of her shirt was ripped. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] had several small cuts to her left eyebrow. She had several scratch marks on the right side of her neck. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] had no other complaints of injury and refused EMS.
I spoke to [REDACTED BY AGENCY], who stated Mrs. Burkes ran into the residence and began fighting with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. She stated she attempted to pull Mrs. Burkes off of [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Mrs. Burkes grabbed her by her braids and threw her to the floor, causing her head to strike the floor. During the altercation, Mrs. Burke had ripped several of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] braid from her head.
I observed a bare spot on [REDACTED BY AGENCY] head where her braids had been. There were no other visible injuries. Mrs. [VICTIM #2] requested EMS for a possible head injury.
I made contact with Mrs. Burkes in the parking lot of Enmarket (791 EG Miles Pkwy). Mrs. Burkes stated she went to the residence to get her daughter. She stated she and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] began to argue. She stated Mrs. [VICTIM #1] was standing in the living room, and the two women began to argue. She stated Mrs. [VICTIM #1] pushed her, and she ran into the house and punched Mrs. [VICTIM #1]. She stated Mrs. [VICTIM #2] jumped in and began to hit her from behind. During the altercation, she was sprayed in the face with mace. She stated she left the residence and left the area in her vehicle.
Mrs. Burkes stated the passenger side mirror of her vehicle had been damaged. She stated someone from the residence must have damaged her vehicle. While conducting my investigation, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] from [REDACTED BY AGENCY] called and advised a vehicle had struck his mailbox. Officer Price and Officer Singleton responded to his address. Officer Price located the plastic mirror cover that belonged to Mrs. [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle next to the damaged mailbox.
I asked Mrs. Burkes if she had struck anything when she left [REDACTED BY AGENCY] residence. Mrs. Burkes stated did not believe she had struck anything. She stated she could not see after she had been sprayed in the face with mace. Mrs. Burkes had her four-month-old child, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the backseat of her car during the entire incident.
Mrs. Burkes was placed under arrest for battery, cruelty to child third degree, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless conduct.
Officer Parmentier transported Mrs. Burkes to the Liberty County Jail to await her first appearance and bond hearing. [REDACTED] arrived on scene and took possession of Mrs. Burkes’ vehicle and child, [REDACTED BY AGENCY].
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
3/6/26
CRIMINAL ARREST WARRANT AND BOND ORDER ISSUED
What this means: A Magistrate Court judge in Liberty County signed a Criminal Arrest Warrant and Order for Bond for Shaunta Burkes. The bond was set at $3,500.00 total. The order lists the charges Burkes is accused of: Battery (two counts), Cruelty to Children 3rd Degree (3rd or subsequent offense, a misdemeanor), Hit and Run/Duty of Driver to Stop at or Return to Scene of Accident, and Reckless Conduct. The order notes that if Burkes failed to post bond, she was to be committed to the Liberty County jail until released by due course of law.
3/13/26
SURETY BOND POSTED — SHAUNTA BURKES RELEASED
What this means: A surety bond — meaning a third party agreed to guarantee the full amount — was posted on behalf of Shaunta Burkes in the amount of $3,500.00, securing her release from Liberty County custody. The bond was signed on Friday, March 6, 2026. Burkes was required to appear before the State Court of Liberty County on a court date noted on the bond. By posting this bond, Burkes was released from jail while her case proceeds.
3/18/26
FIRST APPEARANCE HEARING HELD — SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF BOND SET
What this means: Shaunta Burkes appeared before the court for her First Appearance Hearing on March 18, 2026. A First Appearance is typically one of the earliest court proceedings after an arrest, where a judge formally informs the defendant of the charges against them and reviews the conditions of their release. The court also issued special conditions of bond on this date, meaning Burkes was required to follow specific rules beyond simply posting bail in order to remain out of custody while her case moves forward.
5/15/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE — NOTICE TO PRODUCE FILED
What this means: Attorney Attilio J. Balbo formally entered his appearance in Shaunta Burkes’s case on May 15, 2026, meaning he is now the attorney of record representing Burkes. On the same date, the defense filed a Notice to Produce Documents and Evidence, which is a formal request asking the prosecution to turn over any documents, records, or physical evidence the State intends to use in the case. This is a standard step in the discovery process — the exchange of information between both sides before trial.
5/21/26
STATE FILES DISCOVERY RESPONSE
What this means: The prosecution responded to the defense’s request for documents and evidence on May 21, 2026. This means the State provided Attorney Balbo and Shaunta Burkes with the materials it has gathered in connection with the charges against her. Both sides now have an opportunity to review the evidence before the case proceeds further.
5/28/26
ACCUSATION FILED — SHAUNTA BURKES FORMALLY CHARGED
What this means: On May 28, 2026, the State formally filed an Accusation against Shaunta Burkes in Liberty County. An Accusation is a formal charging document — similar to an indictment but filed directly by the prosecutor rather than a grand jury — that officially sets out the charges Burkes is accused of. This moves the case into the trial court phase. Shaunta Burkes is presumed innocent of all charges.
5/28/26
PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM PENDING
What this means: Also on May 28, 2026, the case notes reflect that a Pre-Trial Diversion Program is pending for Shaunta Burkes. Pre-Trial Diversion is an alternative to traditional prosecution where a defendant may be allowed to complete certain requirements — such as community service, counseling, or other conditions — in exchange for the charges potentially being dismissed. This is pending, meaning it has not yet been finalized or approved. No outcome has been determined at this stage.
9/23/26
STATE COURT TIME TO PAY HEARING SCHEDULED
What this means: A Time to Pay Hearing has been scheduled in State Court of Liberty County for Shaunta Burkes on September 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. A Time to Pay Hearing is a court proceeding where a judge determines whether a defendant can pay fines, restitution, or other financial obligations imposed by the court, and if so, what payment schedule is reasonable. This hearing typically occurs after sentencing or as part of resolving financial obligations in a case.
10/8/26
CASE MOST LIKELY DISMISSED AND SEALED — PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM COMPLETED
What this means: As of October 8, 2026, Shaunta Burkes’ case (STSR2026001090) in Liberty State Court has been restricted from public view. This suggests that Burkes most likely successfully completed the terms of the Pre-Trial Diversion Program that was pending as of May 28, 2026. Under pre-trial diversion, when a defendant fulfills all required conditions — such as community service, counseling, or other court-ordered requirements — the charges are typically dismissed and the case record is sealed.