Deputies were called to a shooting Tuesday evening, but instead of arresting the shooter, charges are pending against the juvenile who was shot.
According to Newton County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Cortney Morrison, deputies were called to a home on Riverbrook Road around 5 p.m., after a woman, identifying herself as the sister of the 15-year-old victim, called 911, saying her brother had been shot and needed an ambulance.
When deputies arrived they found the juvenile victim had been shot in the leg. They also located the man who shot him, a 23-year-old male who reportedly admitted to the shooting. However, during the course of the investigation, deputies found that the shooter (who is known to the juvenile, but does not live in the home), had fired in order to defend himself against the juvenile.
According to Morrison, the shooter was at the home picking up some of his belongings when the juvenile attacked him for an unknown reason. The juvenile is still in the hospital recovering from his injury, but charges of aggravated assault, battery and criminal damage to property are pending against him.
Father charged in cruelty to children
Deputies were flagged down around midnight Monday by a woman, who was standing in the parking lot of Lovejoy Church on Ga. Highway 36. The woman reportedly told them her son had been abused by his father.
After looking at the 9-year-old boy deputies could clearly see evidence of abuse. According to Morrison, there was "visible, excessive bruising" on various areas of the child’s body, which was not consistent with a typical spanking.
Deputies went to the home of the child’s father, 36-year-old Marcus Donaldson. When they arrived, a woman identified as 36-year-old Tracy Epps opened the door to the home. She allegedly told deputies that Donaldson was not there but gave them permission to search the home. During the search, Donaldson was located hiding in a closet, according to Morrison.
Donaldson was arrested and transported to the Newton County Detention Center where he was charged with cruelty to children in the second degree and battery. Epps was transported as well and charged with obstruction.
