Cumming Woman Facing Child Cruelty Charges
Authorities find the woman's 2-year-old boy and two dogs alone in "filthy" home.
Photos
A 21-year-old woman is being charged with cruelty to children after she left her two-year-old son alone, trapped inside of his room, with no food or drink, in a home filled with garbage, according to a press release from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.
Stephanie Davis, who lives on Boxer Lane in Cumming, is being charged with cruelty to children in the second degree and reckless conduct.
The disturbing incident began on Friday, June 22, around 8:40 a.m. after a family member contacted the sheriff’s office following a call from Davis around 4:40 a.m. about the child.
Davis made the call from the Roswell Police Department jail. A Roswell police officer told Cumming Patch she had been arrested for speeding and driving under the influence.
The family member, who lives an hour away from the Davis residence, said Davis told her that someone was watching her son. But after getting additional information from Davis, the family member told the sheriff’s office that she believed the child was alone at the home and was unattended.
When deputies arrived, they found the residence locked and no adult at home, but did see a barking dog running from one open window to another. As the deputies worked their way around the house, they could hear the cries of a child coming from inside.
“Because of the extenuating circumstances, one of the deputies pulled the screen off of the window and entered the home,” said Sheriff Ted Paxton in the press release. “The deputy then made his way to the room where he heard the child crying. What he found was a child that was trapped in his room by a closed door, equipped with a safety device on the inside doorknob, that prevented the child from opening the door."
"The child was dressed in a dirty white t-shirt. He had removed his diaper himself and it was on the floor, filled to overflowing with feces. The child had feces on his hands, feet and leg," said Paxton.
After the deputy located the young child, he handed him to the other deputy through a window. Upon further inspection, authorities also found what appeared to be bug bites, possibly from fleas, on the legs of the child.
“Deputies on the scene began to clean the feces off of the child and put a clean diaper on him," said Paxton. "Because of the disarray of the home, deputies could not tell if the clothes on the floor were clean or dirty. One deputy got clothes and food from his home and gave it to the child, while another went to a local store to get the child something to drink. Deputies said it was clear that the child was very hungry.”
It is unknown how long the child had been alone prior to the phone call from the mother to the relative.
The press release stated, the deputies at the scene described the home as “filthy." The odor emanating from inside of the house was a mixture of rotting food, urine and feces.
Two rooms, including the room where the child was found, had only a mattress and box springs on the floor. Clothing was thrown on the floors of the bedrooms, bathroom and sofa. Towels and used razors were found on the floor outside of the shower, as well as overflowing trash.
In the kitchen, deputies found dirty dishes, rotting food and trash. Outside of the residence, on the porch, were more than 50 bags filled with garbage. In addition, panes were broken out of some of the windows, including the room where the child was found.
Authorities also found two dogs inside the residence, one that was locked in a cage. Both dogs were removed from the residence and were given water. Animal Control later transported the two dogs after no one could be found to care for them.
“I commend the deputies for their response and for their caring actions at the scene,” said Paxton. “This was a situation that could have ended quite differently. Thankfully, the child was located and is now safe.”
The Department of Family and Children’s Services (DEFACS) was contacted and the child is now in protective custody.
The mother remains incarcerated at the Fulton County Jail where a hold has been placed on her for the Forsyth County charges.
In This article
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Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
475 Tribble Gap Rd, Cumming, GA -
City of Roswell Police Department
39 Hill St, Roswell, GA
jessica
10:03 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
That is awful people like her do not deserve children!!! I hope she gets what she deserves and that's not freedom or the right to get her son back!!!
Kayla F
11:30 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
I went to school with her and we USED to best friends in elementary school and friends in middle and high school. SHE SHOULD ROT IN JAIL FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE AND THEN BURN IN HELL! I PRAY THAT LITTLE ANGEL GOES TO SOMEONE WHO WILL ACTUALLY LOVE HIM AND WANTS HIM.
JoAnne
7:19 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Who is the boy in the photo? Where is a picture of the mom?
Michelle
8:10 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
That is the picture of the mom, stephanie. Thats not a boy.
JoAnne
7:20 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Where's the dad?
JoAnne
8:36 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Obviously that's her; I was just being facetious. Doesn't she look like a sick, deranged, teenage boy? And, of course, there is no mention of a dad. Why do all of these young girs have babies they cannot take care of? Have they not heard of birth control? Have they not heard of staying in school and getting an education and perhaps becoming a productive member of society, instead of just sucking the life out of the rest of us? Get a job, get a life, then bring a precious life into this world. Nothing but, white trash!
Amber
11:24 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The dad has been in jail for a year. I don't understand how someone could do that to that precious little boy. So sad.
JoAnne
11:46 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Oh, perfect! Of course, he has.....ignorant, uneducated, non-birth control using, white trash!!
William Evelyn Jr.
2:27 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
JoAnne - maybe they wanted the child, but are ill equipped intellectually to care for it properly.
JoAnne
2:49 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Please.....nice try.
s. christian
3:00 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
There are absolutely no words to express the millions of reasons this should never have happened. Viciously attacking without knowing the entire situation is an added wrong that must be stopped. Mental Illness is an unbelievable disease. Instead of all the attacking, prayers are what is needed most for this baby boy.
JaneenSMG
4:27 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
I agree with JoAnne...
JoAnne
6:18 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thank you, Janeen SMG. I was beginning to think I missed something here. How many of these girls not only have one child they cannot take care of, but 3 and 4 AND with different men - absolutely disgusting!
JoAnne
6:16 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Who said anything about mental illness. S. Christian - Do you live in Cumming? This isn't an isolated incident; look around you....how many unwed mothers do you think live in Cumming - I would venture to say A LOT! And who is paying for them to exist in this society - US! Get a grip!
mrs hogfish
10:15 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
ditto....get a grip
Mark
7:44 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
For those two or three of you taking up for this piece of trash you are almost as bad as her. She wasn't "mentally ill" enough to get a DUI . Prayers???? Are you kidding me? WAKE UP PEOPLE!
JoAnne
8:25 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Finally, another voice of reason.
Kendra
1:14 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Apparently she had something like kemotheropy and lost her hair Joanna that could be why her hair is short but why are you attacking it is ver disturbing that someone could do this to a child but she must have some mental handicap herself
Kendra
1:16 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
This really is horrible but did you stop to think who raised this generation? YOURS DID what brilliant parenting
loretta barber
4:43 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
well out of all the complaints about this young girl.I DIDENT HEAR ONE PERSON SAY THEY WOULD HELP HER. DID SHE HAVE A WASHER AND DRYER? DID SHE HAVE A BED? DID SHE HAVE FOOD? RENT? BABY SITTERS TO HELP,SO SHE CAN EITHER GO TO SCHOOL,OR GET A JOB? SHE CALLED HER FAMILY AND THEY CALLED THE POLICE ON HER. I AM SURE SHE WOULD RATHER CRASH AND BURN BEFORE ASKING HER FAMILY FOR HELP.I WOULD LOVE TO HELP THIS GIRL AND HER PRECIOUS BABY. I HAVE SOME EXTRA FURNITURE AND I COULD TAKE CARE OF THE BABY . FREE OF CHARGE. STOP RUNNING THIS GIRL DOWN,AND GIVE HER A HELPING HAND,FOR GODS SAKE.
Sean G
4:03 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
If i knew how I could help I would.
ANGEL TO THE RESCUE
5:45 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I am quite sure Stephanie's relative was in a "stuck between a rock and a hard place" situation...How would YOU answer the question ... Who's more important at this moment; Stephanie or her son? Especially since the relative did not know how long the baby had been there alone...the night before? the day before? no one knew.
Amber
9:36 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
I dont know if she had a washer or dyer but thats what laundry mats are for. She had a bed. She has ways to get food. Pretty sure she doesnt have to pay rent. She DID have babysitters but she would never pay them the small amount they asked and only wanted babysitters overnight so she could go party. If shes capable of going to bars and drinking all the time then she should be capable of a getting a job. She called her family AFTER the child was left locked in his room OVERNIGHT. What was the family member supposed to do?? Just risk it and drive a hour and hope the child is ok when she gets there? I dont think so! Get a grip people!!!!!
JoAnne
6:41 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Kendra, it all stems from education....stay in school, get a job and become a productive member of society....then have children....period!
Elizabeth Shaw
9:15 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
@Joanne & Mark: **applause** Agree with both of you. 100%!
ANGEL TO THE RESCUE
3:51 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I know this girl quite well. There are "reasons" for her actions. This was a very loud cry for help. Praying that she will now get the help she needs and deserves.
Al Sutton
8:03 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
She could afford the alcohol to get the DUI, the gas to drive while DUI and it's a choice to live like that. I grew up with parents with little money that had kids young and they strived to do better and did. Justin beiber look alike here is sorry pathetic excuse for a parent and even more proof DOFCS is pathetic and use less.
Al Sutton
8:07 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
To the above about help, if you take advantage of all wic,ebt, snap you make equal to 45k per year, really I have an extra old couch! That would help this person? I have an old flat head shovel to scrape up dog crap you want it and you can go help her?
ANGEL TO THE RESCUE
10:09 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
I was referring to "therapy", Al...not Government hand outs...This young lady has been through a lot during her short time on this earth and has severe emotional issues because of it.
lulu97
11:39 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
JoAnne - I'm an "unwed" mother who lives in Cumming and I've never taken a handout from your or anybody else. I've never left my daughter unattended and sitting in a filthy diaper while I sat in a bar getting drunk. I'm educated, have a very good job and a beautiful house. My daughter excels academically and athletically. So I'm curious as to what me or any other single mother in Cumming has to do with this woman and the horrible thing she did. Are you implying that because THIS woman was "unwed", that ALL unwed mothers are trash and would do the same? Do you honestly belive that all unwed mothers in this county are automatically begging for handouts from the productive and more deserving two-parents families in this county?
So let's see.. this story also states that she is a female, is 21, is white and is a dog owner. Can we then, based on your logic, also assume that all 21 year olds, all white females, and all dog owners are also trash and that will probalby neglect their children?
What this woman did was shocking, heartbreaking and disgusting. So are your judgmental and ignorant assumptions.
JoAnne
12:25 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
You must be the exception to the rule - good for you!
Liz Kennedy
8:57 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Dear Patchers, while your comments are welcomed and important - please stay on topic to the story published here.
Liz Kennedy, Editor
mrs hogfish
9:58 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
all these comments relate.... this is a precious subject that brings these kind of feelings out in people.... people react in different ways.
lulu97
10:25 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
Exactly Liz; that was the point I was trying to make. Calling people lesbians, white trash, and uneducated contibute NOTHING to this discussion and I'm surprised at some of the comments that made it past "review" so far.
Alicia
12:42 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012
Ive read this blog over an over again and I'm still shocked I remember seeing this girl at school everyday and not really knowing her but knowing of her she use to be a really pretty girl with long red hair and when I looked at her Facebook before she deleted it I saw all the cute pictures of her red headed baby :) I think that something must have changed dramatically besides her having a son and her baby daddy being in jail... It's so sad and I pray for the little boy that he is being loved on right now and possibly forget the time he spent in that home unattended and stranded... God must have a plan for this little boy because it could have been a deadly situation if the grandmother didn't call the police. If I were the grandmother I would have done the same thing because you never know what you would find if she were to go alone... I hate to say it but that little boy is lucky and blessed and for all the unwed jokes they weren't funny I have twin boys who were premie and I am unwed and my sons get everything they need or want and I am 22... It's not a statistic this is a news article...
JoAnne
5:53 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Go to school, get an education, get a job, contribute to society, get MARRIED, THEN have a child! I am so sick of hearing about unwed mothers taking advantage of medicaid and food stamps etc... and the white trash referral to the "baby daddy" - quite frankly, its' disgusting. Have you nothing better to do with your life? Have you never heard of birth control?
ANGEL TO THE RESCUE
12:24 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
To Sean G....a good lawyer would help an awful lot.
Tellsitlikeitis
9:01 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
First of all she lied about having cancer. She shaved her head on her own to get attention. I don't care If she is mentally unstable or not, she deserves to be put UNDER the jail. All of these people asking for prayers for her.... Here's an idea. Get on your knees and pray for that child because the damage she has done to him is something that won't ever go away.
Amber
9:21 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
^^^ AMEN. How come no one is thinking about that poor child who was LOCKED in his room helpless with no food, water or even clean clothes for hours and hours! She is more than capable of feeding & taking care of herself unlike the 2 year old child! I hope and pray she never gets to see that child again and maybe he will have a chance at a decent life. People that are saying "pray for her" don't know her. All of this is a very sick way of getting attention. She faked having cancer for gods sake!!
ANGEL TO THE RESCUE
11:11 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Your allegations are based on... what proof?? There are many, prayers going out to her precious little boy and he will be loved and well taken care of by a family member who has stepped in to help.
Amber
11:57 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Proof? I've babysat her children more than once. I'm not going to sit here and tell everyone everything i know she has done wrong, because frankly i will be here for hours and i don't have the time. I know the truth and thats all that matters. I'm glad a family member stepped up but they should of done it before it got to this point.
Carlotta
2:52 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Did you say children? How many?
Tellsitlikeitis
12:05 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
^ Amen. You can't tell me her family didn't know what was going on with her. If they knew she was so unstable why didn't they get her help? Why didn't they do anything about it? Don't get on here and try to defend someone when you didn't do anything about it when you first started seeing signs of neglect/abuse/mental instability/etc.
ANGEL TO THE RESCUE
12:45 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
How do you help someone who doesn't realize they have a problem...in the eyes of the law, she is an adult and cannot be forced to do anything she doesn't want to do. What's done is done..let's just hope it isn't too late for either one of them.
JoAnne
5:01 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
I'd like to see the loser she had the child with.
JoAnne
5:56 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Doesn't anyone use birth control anymore?
Carlotta
2:57 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
When you are staying high obviously birth control is the last thing on your mind. The same way the child you already have isn't either.