April 25
Bainbridge Public Safety Officer Heard responded to an assault call shortly before noon at an apartment on Martin Luther King. When he arrived he spoke with the victim who stated that a man, later identified as Antonio Robinson, had come to her apartment and was speaking with her 2 year old child in the yard. The victim stated that a male friend was sitting on the couch and approached the front of the house. She said that the friend told Robinson not to be talking to the child because he, Robinson, was not known to them. According to the victim, Robinson then asked whose child it was and if the male friend was the victim's boyfriend. The victim stated that she told Robinson again to leave and this time he did but shortly returned.
The victim stated that when Robinson returned carrying 2 large sticks and entered the apartment. She told Officer Heard that Robinson first beat her friend with the sticks and she grabbed her child and ran out the door. Robinson chased her and she fell and while laying on the ground, Robinson beat her and her child then ran off.
Officer Bryant located Robinson on North Scott Street and he was transported to Bainbridge Public Safety where he was booked for 2 counts of aggravated assault and 1 count of cruelty to children. Robinson was taken to Decatur County Jail.
April 25
A dispatch for an altercation between mother and son (juvenile) lead Bainbridge Public Safety Officer Haire to the Gray residence on Bethel Road. Officer Haire arrived to find the son on top of his mother on the floor, holding her down. Officer Haire was able to separate them and began speaking with the mother, Alyssa Shandale Gray. Gray stated to the officer that after having told her son several times to hang up the phone and go to bed, he became irate and began knocking holes in the wall in his room. Gray stated that she then retrieved a steak knife and sat on the couch. Gray stated that her son then re-entered the living room and began to swing and punch her in the face. She stated that she was defending herself and stabbed him in the leg. Both mother and son were transported to the hospital and the case turned over to an investigator.
April 21
Things haven't been going well lately at the Burris household on Chapman Hall Rd. It appears the household consists of Alton Burris and his girlfriend Carla Wood and Wood's children. One of those children, Dylan Cody Gilbert has been arrested 3 times in the past 3 months for everything from driving without a license to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Then the mother, Carla, was arrested on April 19th for failing to send a child to school.
Apparently that was all Burris could take and on Friday, April 21st Decatur County Sheriff Deputy Emanuel was dispatched to a domestic at the Chapman Hall Road address. Carla stated that Burris had been drinking all day. She told Deputy Emanuel that Burris was upset because he had bonded her out of jail the previous day and he was cursing and using profanity while her juvenile son was inside the residence.
Deputy Emanuel that spoke with the son and several neighbors who stated that they also heard Burris curing and making threats to both Carla and her son. When Deputy Emanuel spoke with Burris he stated that he was upset with both Carla and his stepson and that he did use profanity. This was Deputy Emanuel's second visit to the Burris home and this time Burris was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and cruelty to children.
As is being a child witnessing domestic violence isn't enough trama for a child, being injured while it occurs is criminal. There were 2 such incidents reported by Bainbridge Public Safety on April 6 and 7.
On April 6 Officer Barlow was dispatched to a house on Carter Street. When he arrived he saw a small female laying on the ground in front of the stairs leading to the house with a man identified as Jerome Hicks standing on the porch at the top of the stairs. As Officer Barlow approached the front door he was met by Monica Butler. Monica told Officer Barlow that she and her 2 daughters had gone shopping for Easter and when they arrived home they were confronted by Hicks. Monica stated that Hicks was intoxicated and angry and asked why they were gone so long. When Monica told Hicks that they had gone shopping Monica said that Hicks then began pushing her and her daughter jumped in between them trying to stop Hicks for pushing her. Monica stated that Hicks then grabbed the daughter as Monica called 911. Monica stated that she then saw Hicks push her daughter off the steps onto the ground.
When Officer Barlow spoke with Hicks he told the officer that he had been drinking and was upset the Monica didn't buy him any cigarettes. Hicks was arrested and taken to jail.
April 7 was a day that another child will remember for all the wrong reasons. Officer Barlow was dispatched to an incorrect address given by the caller and while enroute to the correct address, Joseph McClain called 911 and stated that the police didn't need to respond that everything was 'OK'. Sgt. Dollar made contact with McClain by phone and McClain was short with him and hung up the phone. Officer Barlow arrived at the Lewis St. address and spoke with Patrice Hardy. Patrice told the officer that McClain had attacked her and attempted to take her cell phone. She stated that McClain had started hitting her in the face and had busted her lip. Patrice's 9 year old son had tried to stop McClain from hitting her and the child was hit in the face also busting his lip. McClain (being such a 'big man') had taken off running. Public Safety units searched the area but were not able to locate McClain.
Sgt. Dollar photographed both Patrice's and her son's injuries. (Hopefully there is a warrant to follow)
