Georgia

She let her 6-year-old ride to the park alone. Georgia called it neglect.

Published

2 months ago

January 16, 2026

She let her 6-year-old ride to the park alone. Georgia called it neglect.

With schools closed for Election Day 2025, Mallerie Shirley’s 6-year-old son was riding his electric scooter to and from the local playground—about a third of a mile away—on the bike trail just outside their Atlanta house. On his way home, a woman in a car stopped him and, according to the boy, asked rapid-fire questions in an elevated voice: What’s your name? How old are you? Where do you live?

Shirley is a software engineer and mom of two—but she also holds a master’s in social work and was a caseworker for four years in Minnesota. She and her husband, Christopher, believe in childhood independence and had prepared their son for such an encounter. He did not tell the lady his name, age, or where he lived. He later told his parents he was afraid she would try to pull him into the car, so he sped home, but he believes she followed him.

Two days later, a caseworker from the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) showed up at their house. Shirley wasn’t home, but the caseworker told her husband that a report had been made that their son was seen on his scooter unsupervised. She informed him that she would be going to both their son’s and their 3-year-old daughter’s schools to interview and photograph the children.

Shirley’s husband asked if there was a problem with letting their son go to the playground by himself. The caseworker said he was too young to go alone until he was “about 13.” When asked if that was the law, she said, “They will consider that inadequate supervision,” adding that “he is extremely vulnerable at that age.…Anything could happen.” Shirley’s husband again asked the caseworker what the law said, and she replied that she would follow up with her supervisor, who eventually answered that DFCS policy is that a child cannot be left unattended for any amount of time until they are 9 years old.

In 2025, Georgia passed Senate Bill 110 (with help from my nonprofit, Let Grow), which revised the definition of neglect as putting a child in “real, significant, and imminent risk of harm that would be so obvious…that a legal custodian acting reasonably would not have exposed the child to the imminent risk of harm.” It further specifies that “independent activity…shall include, but shall not be limited to, playing indoors or outdoors alone or with other children, walking to or from school, running errands, or traveling to local commercial or recreational facilities.”

The law received bipartisan support following the case of Brittany Patterson, who was handcuffed in front of her family after her 10-year-old walked to town without telling her.

“Because of SB110 we felt confident that [DFCS] would not find us to be negligent,” Shirley wrote in Let Grow’s Facebook Group, Raising Independent Kids. “We knew, and made clear to the social worker, that we ensured our six-year-old had the maturity, physical abilities, AND mental abilities to be safe,” wrote Shirley.

A few hours later, the caseworker returned. (Shirley would later learn that the caseworker had asked her son if his parents loved him and if they had drugs in the house.) During this visit, Shirley and her husband cited the law and asked how they were neglecting their child. According to Shirley, the caseworker couldn’t give a single example, but she did produce extremely unlikely hypothetical events, including that the boy could have been kidnapped or broken his leg.

The caseworker was not applying the new law’s standards, says Let Grow’s legal consultant Diane Redleaf. “DFCS has not taken sufficient steps to inform its staff” of what the new law allows kids to do—including traveling alone to playgrounds.

On December 16, the caseworker called to say she was trying to close out the case and asked if Shirley and her husband were “still doing that free-range parenting or whatever they call it?” Shirley responded that her son had become too afraid to go out anymore after being reported.

A few weeks later, a letter arrived from DFCS saying the department had “substantiated” the finding of neglect “based on the preponderance of evidence.” Shirley requested to see their file and asked how to appeal the decision. She was told by the caseworker’s supervisor that much of the case file would be blacked out. When Shirley asked for the specific policy that says children under 9 cannot be unsupervised for any amount of time, the supervisor said, “That’s something you can Google.”

Young kids have been riding around their neighborhoods for eons. That this has become less common is not due to a sudden reversal in evolution or a giant spike in crime. Kids are the same as ever, and today’s murder rate is on track to be the lowest in 65 years. What has changed is the ability to see 6-year-olds as reasonably competent young humans.

The 1981 book, Your Six-Year-Old: Loving and Defiant, provided a checklist of milestones for neurotypical kids, including traveling “alone in the neighborhood (four to eight blocks) to store, school, playground, or to a friend’s home”.

David DeLugas, founder and executive director of ParentsUSA, a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal help to parents in situations like this, has taken on Shirley’s case. He has filed a request for an administrative review to contest the ruling, and ParentsUSA has created a donation page to help cover legal expenses for this and similar cases.

In the meantime, Shirley and her husband are living under a DFCS “Safety Plan,” which they were told they had to sign or DFCS would escalate its response and label them as noncompliant parents. The plan states that they must ensure both children are supervised at all times.

DFCS has an important job to do: Save children who are truly being neglected and abused. When she was a caseworker, Shirley said she saw “unthinkable things.”

A kid riding his scooter to the park was not one of them.

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Georgia

Florida Continues Push to Beat Out Georgia for Top LB Recruit

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Florida Continues Push to Beat Out Georgia for Top LB Recruit

After a huge ratings boost in the updated Rivals300 rankings that now has Joakim Gouda as a top-30 prospect in the 2027 class, the Florida Gators remain in contention for the elite Georgia linebacker despite an apparent leader in his recruitment.

Gouda, once unranked by Rivals, is now the second-highest-rated linebacker in his class. He has seen multiple expert predictions to land with Kirby Smart and the in-state Georgia Bulldogs recently. However, the Gators have consistently been in the mix for the athletic backer under Jon Sumrall, with both schools making his top five, as well as Texas, Auburn and Alabama, and official visits scheduled to all remaining contenders.

Despite the smoke around Georgia, Florida will still have a strong shot at the 6-foot-2, 225-pound defender with plenty of time left before his decision is officially made.

“Florida is definitely still strongly in the race,” Gouda told Florida Gators on SI. “I’m just focused on building relationships and taking my time. I’m not rushing a commitment — I want to make the best decision for me and my future.”

Though the Gators offered Gouda only just over two months ago, Florida has wasted no time in aggressively pursuing the talented athlete, who is expected back on campus for a visit this spring on top of his scheduled official visit from June 4 to June 6. While still somewhat early in the building of a relationship, the new staff member has stood out.

“Florida sits in my top 5 because I really like the program and the energy around it right now. Even with a lot of competition, I believe in my ability to compete and contribute.” Gouda said. “I think I could fit in well with Sumrall and the new staff because I’m coachable, hardworking, and focused on team success. I like their energy and vision for the program, and that’s earned them a real chance in my recruitment.”

Florida’s chances will rely heavily on the next few months, however, as Gouda goes through his visits looking for the best program fit amongst multiple premier options. With a long way to go till signing day, the Gators will have plenty of time to prove to the elite prospect that they meet his criteria.

“From Florida, I’m looking for a staff that truly believes in me, a system where I can develop, and a culture that feels like family,” Gouda said. “A program will earn my commitment by showing consistency, developing players, and giving me the best opportunity to grow on and off the field.”

After making 100 tackles during junior season at South Pauling High School (Ga.), Gouda is expected to surge up recruiting rankings as he heads toward a decision next year. While becoming one of the largest risers in his class as of late, the four-star is not getting complacent.

“The attention on Rivals feels good because it shows people are noticing my work,” Gouda said. “…I think it’s just a result of staying consistent and improving every day, but I’m still keeping my head down and grinding.”

The Gators will likely be in it till the end for the potential future five-star Gouda, with Sumrall and staff looking to fight off Smart in his home state and land one of the more exciting prospects at his position in 2027.

More From Florida Gators on SI

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Georgia

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney

Published

20 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney

VALDOSTA Ga. (WALB) – Family, friends, and law enforcement agencies from across South Georgia gathered at Martin Stadium to remember Officer Caleb Abney.

First responders from across the region stood alongside Abney’s family as Lowndes County opened the stadium for the service.

Lowndes County Board member Chris Buescher said community attendance was important.

“Obviously, these first responders give their all to our community. It is important to come out and support them. We are all heartbroken as a community as one Lowndes family,” Buescher said.

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney(WALB NEWS 10)

Abney’s ties to the community

Buescher noted Abney’s deep roots in Lowndes County, describing his connection to the area beyond his role in law enforcement.

“Caleb was not only a first responder in terms of the fire department, a police officer. He was a former Lowndes County High graduate. He was a former Georgia Bridgeman. So he marched on this very field that these last respects were paid to. So his mom and dad were big volunteers within the school system. So it is important to recognize the sacrifices these first responders make for all of us in the community,” Buescher said.

Procession travels through Lowndes County

The procession exited Lowndes High School and traveled through several roadways across the area. Family members, guests, and first responders made their way to Fellowship Baptist Church.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

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Georgia

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

ATHENS, Ga. – A 19-year-old is facing assault-related charges after police said he raped a University of Georgia student early Saturday morning while she was walking home.

What we know:

Tydarius Wingfield of Athens allegedly approached the student in the area of 400 North Thomas Street just before 1:40 a.m. and asked to walk her home.

Wingfield and the victim did not know each other.

Wingfield then forced the woman behind a building where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

Investigators used the Real Time Crime Center’s camera system to see where the assault happened and track the victim and Wingfield’s movements. Officers continued tracking Wingfield until his arrest and positively identified him using the RTCC technology.

He is charged with rape, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and battery.

An investigation is ongoing.

What we don’t know:

It is unclear whether the victim was taken to the hospital after being attacked.

What you can do:

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Burgamy at Charles.Burgamy@accgov.com or 762-400-7173.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Athens-Clarke CountyUniversity of GeorgiaNewsCrime and Public Safety

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