#ChildSafety | AM 1180 Radio

September 25, 2026

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

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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.

July 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Greensboro Man Jailed In Rome In Child Kidnapping And Molestation Case

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A Greensboro man was jailed in Floyd County this past week after authorities said he kidnapped an 11-year-old child following inappropriate online communication.

May 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Swimming Safety Important As Summer Begins Across Chattooga County

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With school out for the summer and warmer temperatures arriving across Northwest Georgia, swimming safety is an important reminder for local families.