A report from the responding Oakwood Police officer that was released Tuesday offers a more detailed description of the conditions three youngsters were living in when police were sent to Columns at Oakwood apartments where they were living with their parents and another adult.
Initial information was released last week by the detective assigned to the case, Sgt. Stewart Webb. Oakwood: 3 children found in squalid apt.; mother, father arrested (wgtjradio.com)
The information released Tuesday is from report filed by the first officer who responded and details what he and another patrolman found. If you read the report, you’ll notice that at times there are words missing. That is where the name of one of the children was redacted by the police department.
Meanwhile, the couple remained in the Hall County Jail late Tuesday morning. Bond for each has been set at $19,050.
THE REPORT:
“On August 12th, 2024, at approximately 1310 hours, Officer received a Welfare Check call at 2105 Education Way. Three adults were arrested and transported to the Hall County Jail. DFACS (state Division of Family and Children’s Services) was called and they took possession of three juveniles.
The caller, a Social Worker with Hall County Schools stated three juveniles, (nine-
year-old), (eleven-year-old), and (fourteen-year-old) have not been to school in one week. also stated contacted her through a family friend, stating the home her and her sisters are staying in has no power, no air conditioning, little to no food, and their mother Miranda Coggins pointed a gun to her head and threatened suicide.
Upon arrival at 2105 Education Way, I, Officer Bowman made contact with at the front patio of the apartment. appeared dirty (not bathed in days/greasy hair), the front patio was littered with old rotten food, cooking utensils, and miscellaneous items scattered about. I asked if her mom and dad were home and she went and got her mother, Miranda. I informed Miranda that we received a call that her kids have not been to school, and Miranda stated they have been having issues enrolling them in school since they just moved to the area. Dustin Coggins (father) came outside at that time and explained he has been in contact with the kids’ school to get them enrolled but has been having issues with the process.
Dustin stated and were his biological children and was his stepdaughter. Sergeant (Sgt)
Weber asked to speak with off to the side and Dustin said that was ok. While Sgt. Weber was speaking to
a third adult came outside named Chad Driver and he stated he was on the phone trying to get the power back on since they have not had any since Thursday or Friday (3-4 days ago).
I asked if I could look inside to make sure there was food in the home and Dustin and Miranda said yes. I observed in the living room, soiled carpet, dirty clothing everywhere and two snake enclosures. The dining room there were more dirty clothing, totes, and boxes, along with a cat litter box (no cats in the home). The kitchen had crock pots full of rotted and moldy food. There was some canned food and boxed food but with no power there was no way to cook the boxed food. For six people living in the apartment there was not sufficient food available.
Miranda showed me where the kids were sleeping. The three kids were sleeping on a bunk bed which appeared to have a pull-out drawer for the third mattress. Prior to leaving Officers observed exposed wire coming from the apartment complexs outside light. Chad explained he is good with electrical work and spliced some wires to get their fans working due to the power being out.
I made a DFACS report for child neglect due to the dirty living conditions, no power for four days, and the children appeared to not shower for days. The DFACS case worker stated there was already an open DFACS case on the family and they would be sending a person to 2105 Education Way as soon as possible. While I was on the phone with DFACS, Sgt. Weber was able to get ahold of the Property Manager, Amanda Underwood, who advised they would like to press charges for Theft of Services.
Chad, Dustin, and Miranda were asked to come downstairs, where we advised all three of them that they were under arrest for Theft of Services. Handcuffs were placed on all three of the adults ensuring proper fit, and double locking them. Miranda was placed in the back seat of a Hall County Deputies patrol vehicle, Chad was placed in the back of Sgt. Webers patrol vehicle, and Dustin was placed in the back seat of my patrol vehicle, with seat belts fastened.
DFACS worker Sade Connell arrived on scene and began to interview the three children.
Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Sgt. Webb, arrived on scene and took over the investigation, advising the three adults that they were under arrest for Child Cruelty. A search warrant for the apartment building was filled out and approved.
CID Sgt. Webb concluded his investigation and Chad was placed in the back seat of my patrol vehicle, where they were both transported to the Hall County Jail. Miranda was transported to the Hall County Jail by a Hall County Deputy. All three adults were turned over to Booking Officers.
DFACS Sade Connell concluded her investigation and advised the three children to be turned over to, a family friend that the children have lived with before. No further action taken.”