A Gainesville teenager is facing child cruelty and other charges growing out of a domestic violence incident the sheriff’s office says happened Saturday afternoon.
The investigation began about noon when deputies responded to a “domestic dispute in progress” on Candler Road near Oakbrook Drive.
HALL CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE (HCSO) NARRATIVE:
“Deputies met with the female victim, 16, who was walking along Candler Road when the incident happened. The suspect, Ethan Jay Flores, 17, of Gainesville, left the scene prior to deputies’ arrival.
According to the initial investigation, the victim left Flores’ home in the 2700 block of Glendale Drive while he was asleep. As the victim was walking near Oakbrook Drive, Flores approached in his car and parked. He got out and tried to convince her to get in. When the victim refused, Flores hit her, grabbed her and dragged her along the ground toward his car.
The incident ended when a family member of the victim arrived and intervened. The man, 35, pushed Flores and punched him. Flores then left in his (Flores’) car. The victim called the family member prior to Flores’ arrival while she was walking.
Roughly an hour after the initial call, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Flores’ car and arrested him in the 1200 block of West Ridge Road. He is charged with the following:
• First-degree cruelty to children (felony)
• Battery under the Family Violence Act (misdemeanor) – 2 counts
• Simple assault under the Family Violence Act (misdemeanor)
• Driving with suspended/canceled/revoked tag (suspended registration)
• No proof of insurance
• License – Instruction permits and temporary license (driving alone with a learner’s permit)
Deputies transported Flores to the Hall County Jail where he remains held without bond on charges related to the domestic violence incident.”