Post by Shuftin on Dec 29, 2006 5:40:39 GMT -5
2006-12-21 SPRINGFIELD, GEORGIA - A combination of alcohol and family issues were key factors in a weekend incident that landed a Chatham County Sheriff's deputy in Effingham County Jail.
Jan Denise Wells and her daughter Mia Bennett, both of Guyton, were charged with domestic violence early Sunday after a fight that lawmen said is a rather routine occurrence in Effingham.
"It was just a typical situation, something we see a lot of on weekends," said Effingham Chief Deputy Richard Bush. "The charges were based on what the deputy saw at the scene and what witnesses told him.
"When anyone is charged, it does not necessarily mean they are guilty," said Bush. "No one is guilty until the judge makes his ruling."
Bennett had spent much of the previous evening at her home with friends and relatives, an Effingham deputy reported. Several people at the address were still drinking in the early morning hours Sunday when Bennett - described by witnesses as intoxicated - started arguing with some of the others.
The dispute reportedly involved whether Bennett or others should drive to another location. Bennett became enraged as the argument continued and her mother, Deputy Wells, was called to the scene in an effort to calm the situation.
But shortly after Wells arrived, she and Bennett started fighting. Witnesses tried to intervene and someone called Effingham deputies, according to a report.
An Effingham deputy said the women were being restrained by others when he arrived. Wells was being held to the ground by her husband and also appeared to have been drinking, according to a report.
Both women were arrested to avoid further physical confrontations, a report said.
Deputies called Bush about 7 a.m. Sunday, told him a deputy had been arrested and was being detained at the jail.
Wells remained in a holding area separated from other inmates until a judge set her bond Sunday afternoon.
Wells remained at her job providing security at the Chatham Courthouse earlier this week, pending the outcome of the Effingham situation, Chatham Sgt. Tommy Tillman said.
A court date for Wells had not been set earlier this week.
Jan Denise Wells and her daughter Mia Bennett, both of Guyton, were charged with domestic violence early Sunday after a fight that lawmen said is a rather routine occurrence in Effingham.
"It was just a typical situation, something we see a lot of on weekends," said Effingham Chief Deputy Richard Bush. "The charges were based on what the deputy saw at the scene and what witnesses told him.
"When anyone is charged, it does not necessarily mean they are guilty," said Bush. "No one is guilty until the judge makes his ruling."
Bennett had spent much of the previous evening at her home with friends and relatives, an Effingham deputy reported. Several people at the address were still drinking in the early morning hours Sunday when Bennett - described by witnesses as intoxicated - started arguing with some of the others.
The dispute reportedly involved whether Bennett or others should drive to another location. Bennett became enraged as the argument continued and her mother, Deputy Wells, was called to the scene in an effort to calm the situation.
But shortly after Wells arrived, she and Bennett started fighting. Witnesses tried to intervene and someone called Effingham deputies, according to a report.
An Effingham deputy said the women were being restrained by others when he arrived. Wells was being held to the ground by her husband and also appeared to have been drinking, according to a report.
Both women were arrested to avoid further physical confrontations, a report said.
Deputies called Bush about 7 a.m. Sunday, told him a deputy had been arrested and was being detained at the jail.
Wells remained in a holding area separated from other inmates until a judge set her bond Sunday afternoon.
Wells remained at her job providing security at the Chatham Courthouse earlier this week, pending the outcome of the Effingham situation, Chatham Sgt. Tommy Tillman said.
A court date for Wells had not been set earlier this week.