Michael Burns

Name:
Burns, Michael Benjamin

Date of Booking:
08/15/2023

Reason(s) For Booking:
Abuse / Neglect / Exploitation Of Disabled / Elderly Person

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 Tuesday August 15, 2023 at approximately 0946 hours, I Sgt. Brandon Lummus, was dispatched to [1300 BLOCK] N. 9th St. in reference to assisting the Spalding County Marshal, Markevius Johnson with an incident at that location.

Upon my arrival, I made contact with Marshal Johnson who said that him and animal control was there because of a complaint for numerous dogs being there. Marshal Johnson said that he was told that there were approximately 20-30 dogs that were inside the residence. While talking with Marshal Johnson, I could hear the loud barking coming from the numerous dogs. Marshal Johnson said that there was an elderly white female ([VICTIM #1] W/F -49) inside the residence and her son (Burns, Michael W/M -87) was sitting in a chair in the driveway.

Marshal Johnson said that [VICTIM #1] was supposedly covered in dog feces and believes that she has not been taken care of. Marshal Johnson also said that when anyone came close to the house, they could smell the very strong odor of urine and feces. Marshal Johnson also said that it was believed that the residence had a bad case of parvo inside due to the great amount of the dogs and feces.

While talking with Marshal Johnson, a white male subject walked up and identified himself as [WITNESS #1] W/M -83 who said that he was another son to [VICTIM #1]. [WITNESS #1] said that he had called in several doctor appointments to [VICTIM #1]’s doctor and she had cancelled them. [WITNESS #1] said that the issue inside the residence has been going on for a while now.

I advised Spalding Dispatch to contact CID and have them call me. Inv. E. Michel called and I advised him of the situation and he said that he would be en route. Inv. Michel and Inv. Waddell arrived at the location and asked for me to call for EMS to come out. I advised dispatch to have an ambulance en route due to the nature in which [VICTIM #1] was in.

Inv. Michel said that he was calling a magistrate judge to see what he was able to do. After he made the call, Inv. Michel said that he was going to charge Michael with elder abuse and for me to transport him to the jail. I placed handcuffs on Michael, checked the spacing and double locked them for my safety and his. I transported Michael to the Spalding County Detention Center and turned him over to the staff for processing.

Inv. Michel said that he would take out the warrants for the arrest.

[End of Narrative]