Connecticut Man Jailed In Floyd County On Grooming And Threat Charges

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.

Georgia Could Receive Nearly $135 Million In Landmark Meta Settlement

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.

Read more

Ossoff Launches Investigation Into Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Children

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.

Read more

Atrium Health Floyd to Provide Child Identification Kits to New Parents

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

Read more

Greensboro Man Jailed In Rome In Child Kidnapping And Molestation Case

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.

Read more

Swimming Safety Important As Summer Begins Across Chattooga County

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

Read more

Six-Year-Old Finds Firearm On Summerville Playground

The Summerville Police Department says a six-year-old child found a loaded firearm on a playground at Summerville Gardens.

According to an incident report, Officer Matt Kinnamon was dispatched to 127 Summerville Gardens on May 14 after maintenance technician Adam Gill reported the discovery. Gill told police the child found the firearm and brought it to him.

Gill unloaded the gun, removed the magazine, and reported the incident. Police said the firearm was checked through dispatch and was confirmed not to be stolen.

Officer Kinnamon collected the firearm and placed it into evidence for safekeeping.

Pinwheel Ceremony Highlights Child Abuse Prevention Efforts In Chattooga County

April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time focused on raising awareness, supporting families, and encouraging communities to take action to protect children. In recognition of the effort, the Chattooga County Department of Family and Children’s Services hosted a pinwheel planting ceremony at Dowdy Park on March 31.

Read more

Sheriff Schrader Joins National Warning About “764” Threat Targeting Children Online

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is joining law enforcement agencies across the country in warning parents about a violent online extremist network known as “764,” which authorities say targets minors through social media, gaming platforms, and private chat features.

Read more

Sheriff Schrader Warns Parents After Girls Allegedly Abducted by Online Contact, Suspect Arrested in Georgia

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is urging parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity after sharing a report about two Florida girls who were allegedly abducted by a man they had been communicating with for months through popular apps.

Read more