#ChildSafety | AM 1180 Radio

October 1, 2026

12-Year-Old Injured After Being Struck By Vehicle On Highway 114

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A 12-year-old was taken to the hospital after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Highway 114 in Summerville Wednesday evening.

According to a Summerville Police Department crash report, the accident happened September 30 in the area of Highway 114 and East Street/Ralph Stanley Drive.

Police said a 2011 Nissan Altima, driven by Teya Sharae Hedgcoth of Summerville, was traveling south on Highway 114 when the collision occurred. The 12-year-old pedestrian was crossing the highway from east to west.

The crash report lists failure to yield as a contributing factor for the pedestrian and lists no contributing factors for the driver. The vehicle was traveling straight when the accident occurred.

The child suffered what the report classified as a suspected minor or visible injury and was transported by Atrium EMS to Floyd Hospital for treatment.

According to the report, EMS was notified at approximately 8:14 PM, arrived at the scene at 8:21 PM and arrived at the hospital shortly before 9 PM.

A witness who was crossing the highway with the child confirmed the events to the investigating officer.

October 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

School Bus Driver Arrested After Child Dragged By Bus In Summerville

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A Chattooga County school bus driver was arrested Wednesday after police said a child became caught in the bus door and was dragged along Union Street in Summerville.

September 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

AAA: Most Georgia Children Checked Were Moved To Seat Belts Too Soon

Local News, Local News Items #AAA, #BoosterSeats, #CarSeats, #CarSeatSafety, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #ChildPassengerSafety, #ChildPassengerSafetyWeek, #ChildSafety, #FamilySafety, #GeorgiaAAA, #GeorgiaDrivers, #GeorgiaParents, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #NHTSA, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #RoadSafety, #SeatbeltSafety, #summervillega, #TrafficSafety, #trionga, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

New research from AAA shows a large percentage of Georgia children may not be properly protected while riding in vehicles, with many moving from booster seats to adult seat belts before they are physically ready.

September 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Child Passenger Safety Week Begins Sunday Across Georgia

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Parents and grandparents are being encouraged to take a few minutes to make sure children are riding safely as National Child Passenger Safety Week begins Sunday, September 20.

September 16, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Armuchee Woman Charged With Cruelty To Children

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An Armuchee woman was arrested over the weekend following an alleged incident involving a minor family member.

According to Floyd County Jail records, 52-year-old Patricia Katherine Gonzalez was arrested at her residence on Tency Lane and charged with first-degree cruelty to children and simple battery.

Authorities allege Gonzalez grabbed the minor by the hair and pulled her down by it.

Jail records also state that Gonzalez grabbed the victim by the arm, leaving a visible red mark.

Gonzalez was taken into custody on the two charges.

September 11, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Calhoun Man Accused Of Secretly Recording 10-Year-Old Child

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A Calhoun man is facing several charges after authorities say he secretly used a cell phone to record a 10-year-old child while she was getting dressed.

According to an arrest warrant and Floyd County Jail records, 42-year-old Zachary Joe Shortnancy was arrested Tuesday at his home on Everett Springs Road.

Authorities allege Shortnancy placed a cell phone camera under a wall and recorded the 10-year-old child while she was getting dressed in her room.

Shortnancy is charged with child molestation, unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance, and peeping Tom.

The publicly available arrest information does not provide additional details about when the alleged recording occurred or how investigators became aware of it. The child is not being identified.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.

August 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Connecticut Man Jailed In Floyd County On Grooming And Threat Charges

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A Connecticut man was booked into the Floyd County Jail Thursday on charges involving alleged online contact with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

According to arrest warrants, 29-year-old Gabriel Reno Lorenzo Grant of Norwich, Connecticut, is charged with grooming a minor, obscene internet contact with a child, and terroristic threats and acts.

The warrants allege that Grant sent text messages between June 8 and June 11 to an individual he believed was a 14-year-old female. Investigators say the messages were intended to prepare, persuade or coerce the juvenile into a sexual offense.

The warrants further allege that Grant discussed various sexual acts during the messages and later made threats to blind, rape and murder the individual.

Grant was booked into the Floyd County Jail on Thursday. The charges are allegations, and Grant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

August 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Could Receive Nearly $135 Million In Landmark Meta Settlement

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Georgia could receive nearly $135 million under a landmark multistate settlement with Meta Platforms that will also bring major changes to how children and teenagers use Facebook and Instagram.

August 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Ossoff Launches Investigation Into Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Children

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Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has launched an investigation into the potential risks artificial intelligence poses to children, with particular attention being paid to the use of generative AI to create sexually abusive images involving minors.

August 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Atrium Health Floyd to Provide Child Identification Kits to New Parents

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New parents leaving Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center will soon receive child identification kits designed to help protect their babies during an emergency.