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Name:
Herndon, Ashley Marie
Date of Booking:
06/16/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN- 3RD DEGREE
BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE (1ST OFFENSE) MISDEMEANOR
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 06/16/2026, I Deputy Williams and Deputy Mitchell was dispatched at 1106 hrs to [REDACTED] in Covington, Georgia 30016 for a family fight call. Upon arrival Deputy Jones was speaking with Ms. Hendon. Deputy Mitchell and myself walked up to Mr. [VICTIM #1] and was speaking to him about the incident.
Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated that he and Ms. Hendon was in an argument earlier in the morning. Ms. Hendon had accused him of taken some personal items belonging to her daughter. Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated that they were arguing and then they got into a physical confrontation. Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated that Ms. Hendon retrieved a firearm, then brandish the weapon, swung the weapon and made contact with Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s left side of his head.
Ms. Hendon stated that she was fearful for her life because Mr. [VICTIM #1] was a man and that she didn’t know what he was going to do. This incident took place infront of Ms. Hendon’s two juvenile children who witness the incident, which took place in the living room. Ms. Hendon was placed in handcuffs, double locked and check for fit, and placed in the backseat of Deputy Mitchell’s patrol vehicle. Deputy Jones cleared Ms. Hendon’s firearm, Deputy Mitchell filled out the property sheet, placed the firearm and magazine in an evidence bag and placed it in the trunk of the patrol vehicle.
Ms. Hendon was transported to the Newton County Dention Center. Myself and Deputy Mitchell secured our duty weapons and magazines inside of the patrol vehicle. We both escorted Ms. Hendon inside of the intake area, uncuffed Ms. Hendon, placed her in a holding cell, filled out her booking affidavit, gave a copy to intake personnel.
Then we went back outside, retrieve our duty weapons and magazines, check rear seat for contraband and went back in service.
[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:
6/17/26
FIRST APPEARANCE HELD IN NEWTON COUNTY MAGISTRATE COURT — BOND SET
What this means: Ashley Marie Herndon appeared before a Newton County Magistrate Court judge for her first appearance on June 17, 2026. This is a required early hearing where a judge reviews the charges, informs the defendant of her rights, and decides whether to set bond. The magistrate set bond at $2,500 on the Battery — Family Violence charge and $1,000 on the Cruelty to Children in the 3rd Degree charge. The case is set to be heard in Newton Superior Court.
6/22/26
ASHLEY MARIE HERNDON FOUND INELIGIBLE FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER
What this means: On June 22, 2026, the Newton County Indigent Defense Program notified Ashley Marie Herndon in writing that she does not qualify for a court-appointed attorney to represent her on the charges of Battery — Family Violence and Cruelty to Children — 3rd Degree. The program determined she was ineligible based on her reported income of $500 per week, which the program found sufficient for her to afford private legal representation. Because she does not qualify for a public defender, Herndon will need to hire her own attorney to represent her as the case moves forward in Newton Superior Court.
6/23/26
BOND EXECUTED — ASHLEY MARIE HERNDON RELEASED FROM NEWTON COUNTY JAIL
What this means: A formal bond document was signed on June 18, 2026 and filed on June 23, 2026, confirming Ashley Marie Herndon’s release from Newton County custody. The bond was posted through Blackshears Bonding and reflects the total bond amount set at her first appearance. By signing the bond, Herndon and the bonding company agreed that she will appear in Newton Superior Court as required and comply with all conditions set by the court. Failure to appear or violate bond conditions could result in the bond being forfeited and Herndon being returned to custody.