Latest news with #DFACS
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
4 arrested for kidnapping, taking child from GA to NJ by train
A deputy with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office arrested four people in connection with the interference with a child custody and kidnapping investigation. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, a woman called 911 to report that her two-year-old child was taken out of state. Deputies contacted the woman and she reported that the child's father, Dashawn Rashard Sarratt, 30, told her the child was taken without her consent or the knowledge of the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS). According to the sheriff's office, the child was placed with a family member of Dashawn Sarratt during an open DFACS investigation involving the child's care. Both DFACS and the child's mother agreed that Samiyah Cunningham, 24, would temporarily keep the toddler until she was to be moved to another location. During this time, Dashawn Sarratt along with Samiyah Cunningham, Shinikka Cunningham of New Jersey, 49, mother of Samiyah, and Kiesha Burno of New Jersey, 50, mother of Dashawn, all conspired and moved the child by train to live with Burno. Once they were in New Jersey, Kiesha Burno fraudulently received a temporary custodial order through the Hudson County Superior Court in New Jersey. New Jersey Child Protection Services reported to Macon-Bibb DFACS that the child was with Burno. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A deputy obtained arrest warrants for Dashawn Sarratt, Samiyah Cunningham, Shinikka Cunningham, and Kiesha Burno. All four were arrested and the child was safely recovered. Samiyah Cunningham, Shinikka Cunningham, and Kiesha Burno were all charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, interstate interference with custody, and kidnapping. Dashawn Rashard Sarratt was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit a felony, interstate interference with custody, and probation violation. They were all denied bond. TRENDING STORIES: North GA volunteer firefighter arrested for sharing photos of twins' death scene on social media State orders GA church daycare to shut down after director, 2 workers arrested 53 arrested, kilos of meth and fentanyl seized in Gwinnett County 'Operation One Star' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
57 sets of ashes connected to Cobb County funeral home fire remain unclaimed
The Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office released 57 names connected to ashes discovered inside a funeral home that caught on fire last year. 'If there's family members out there that knows these people or has any association with them and is interested in helping give these remains a dignified burial, we'd like to hear from those people,' Cobb County Communications Director Ross Cavitt said. The Medford-Peden Funeral Home caught on fire in April 2024. In November, a hobby photographer from London named Ben James said he traveled to Cobb County to take pictures of what he considered a forgotten space. Inside, he saw ashes and documents connected to past clients, took photographs, and posted them online. Someone saw them and alerted Marietta Police. Days later, investigators showed up and took dozens of sets of ashes out of the burned building. Since then, the county has been working to connect families to the cremains. 'We have made contact with some family members,' Cavitt said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] However, he said the Medical Examiner's Office has been unable to locate loved ones of 57 sets of ashes. Cavitt said that could be because the Department of Family and Children Services was in charge of some of the cremations. 'This funeral home handled indigent burials with DFACS. These are cases where family members can't be found when somebody dies or somebody dies and there's no resources to bury them. It goes to DFACS who works with local funeral homes to handle those cases,' Cavitt said. 'We believe a large number of those may be in that category. In that case, we may not be able to find any family members, but we want to put it out anyway just as an abundance of caution and care.' State records show the funeral home dissolved operations in 2021. The person listed as the owner of the building has not responded to our request for a comment. Marietta Police Department said its investigation is closed. The state is still investigating. If you believe any of these cremains may belong to your loved one, please contact the Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office at 770-590-6596 or via email at You have until May 30, 2025, to claim these cremains. TRENDING STORIES: Police say Atlanta rapper's 'cowardly' actions led to innocent teens' birthday party murders Man accused of shooting Clayton officer has a lengthy criminal history, records show Search teams say they're getting close to finding missing teacher who vanished in Lake Oconee [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
