UPDATE: Charges Against Georgia Mother Arrested After Son Walked Into Town Alone Dismissed, At Least For Now

Prosecutors have dismissed charges against a Georgia mother who was arrested last fall after her 10-year-old son walked into town alone.

Georgia Mom Faces Up To One Year In Jail After 10-Year-Old Son Found Walking Alone About One Mile From Home

"Brittany Patterson, of Fannin County, was booked on suspicion of reckless conduct, a charge that could carry a sentence of one year in jail," WSB-TV stated.

According to the outlet, a court filing said District Attorney Frank Wood’s office decided to dismiss the warrant against Patterson after reviewing body camera footage, witness statements, and more.

“The State will not be moving forward with the prosecution of this case at this time,” the order reads, according to WSB-TV.

However, that doesn't automatically mean the charges are dismissed for good.

Warrant dismissed for Georgia mother who was arrested after son walked to town alone, attorney says fight isn't over https://t.co/qyTNlIslb2

— 11Alive News (@11AliveNews) February 22, 2025

WSB-TV reports:

Channel 2 Action News obtained body camera footage of the moment deputies knocked on Patterson’s door and took her into custody Oct. 30.

Patterson says she took one of her children to the doctor and during that time, her then-10-year-old son walked less than a mile to the store without her permission.

While out, she got a call that deputies were worried about him walking alone.

“I wasn’t, you know, panicking or concerned, because it’s just a short walk from our house. He knows how to get home; he knows how to get there,” Patterson told the deputy. “Anytime I checked it wasn’t illegal for a kid to walk to the store.”

“It is when they’re 10 years old,” the deputy responded.

David DeLugas, an attorney representing Patterson, says this doesn’t mean the charges against his client are dropped for good.

He told Channel 2 Action News via email that because Patterson was charged with a misdemeanor, Georgia law says she can be prosecuted for that charge within two years of the commission of the alleged crime.

“Brittany Patterson was charged with reckless conduct after her son was seen walking alongside the road into town in Mineral Bluff. Her son, Soren, was approached by a woman who asked if he was fine. Soren said yes but the woman called the police anyway. Police picked up Soren and then dropped him off at home before returning hours later to arrest Patterson,” Collin Rugg wrote in November.

“Authorities offered to drop the charges if Patterson signed a form outlining a safety plan that would force her to track her children via GPS. Patterson refused. She faces a $1,000 fine and one year in jail,” he added.

WATCH:

NEW: Georgia mom is facing up to 1 year in jail for allowing her 11-year-old son to walk less than a mile into town by himself.

Brittany Patterson was charged with reckless conduct after her son was seen walking alongside the road into town in Mineral Bluff.

Her son, Soren, was… pic.twitter.com/GZbXBX84ns

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 19, 2024

11Alive noted:

Brittany "Brit" Patterson was charged with reckless conduct on Oct. 30. While she was attending to another child, her son, Soren, walked less than a mile from their Fannin County home to a gas station. Deputies returned the boy home and later arrested Patterson, citing her alleged lack of concern for his safety.

Shortly after the incident, she refused to sign a sheriff's office safety plan requiring her children to remain under constant supervision, arguing that it infringes on her parental rights.

On Feb. 7, Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney Frank Wood filed a warrant dismissal in court.

According to Patterson's attorney, David DeLugas, Wood did not notify Patterson or her legal counsel before filing the dismissal.

Court documents stated that after the district attorney reviewed incident reports, body camera footage, witness statements and the warrant, the state decided not to continue the case.

DeLugas claims that although the warrant was dismissed, the state could still prosecute the case until Oct. 31, 2026, he explained. He cited the Georgia Constitution, which states that prosecution should be finished within two years after the crime.

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This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

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