Steven Gooden

Name:
Gooden, Steven Lorenzo

Date of Booking:
04/24/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Battery – Family Violence (1st Offense) – Misdemeanor

Cruelty To Children – Allow Child To Witness Felony/Battery/Family Violence – 3rd Degree

False Imprisonment

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.]

On arrival, I made contact with Steven Gooden (subject), who stated that he disciplined his son [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (victim), a minor child. Mr. Gooden stated to me that he had spanked him on 4/23/2025 because of his behavior in school. He stated that his son spits or, at times, hits the teacher. He stated that for his action, he fed him bread and water, not a meal.

I spoke with [WITNESS #1] who works for the Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS) who stated that they received a call regarding the child being abused. She stated that the minor child had had a bruise on their forearm. Deputy Sanders spoke with the minor child in the presence of his parents. When asked by Deputy Sanders if he had had a bruise on his arm, he stated he did. He showed me the bruise which was located on his right forearm.

Upon further investigation, Ms. [WITNESS #1] states that the child also had told her that he had been ducted tape, lay on his stomach on the floor, pants pulled down, and spanked with a wooden stick. He said he also gets a spanking with a belt, at times he only eats bread and drinks water, his electronic devices are taken away, and have to write the bible scriptures for punishment.

I spoke with the child regarding what he had told Ms. [WITNESS #1], the child stated that he does get spanked when he doesn’t listen, and at times he only eats bread and drinks water. When asked the last time he was spanked he stated yesterday meaning 4/23/2025.

I further my investigation with Mr. Gooden about what his son stated, and he stated the following. He stated that he had before duct tape his son’s hands and hitting with a wooden stick. Although this incident did not on during this incident, he did admit to doing these acts. He quoted bible verses that he felt that was concurrent with his action.

Although the child having a bruise on his arm only was the reason for this incident date, Mr. Gooden made clear at times this is the way he will and does discipline his son. Mr. Gooden Admitted to these acts willingly and was made fully aware of his actions.

The child was taken from the home by DFACS. Mr. [GOODEN] was arrested, charged with the said offense, and transported to Rockdale County Detention Center.

[End of Narrative]