Maulajah Jones

Name of Accused:
Jones, Maulajah Elliss

Date of Arrest:
08/07/2024


Charges For Arrest:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN – 2ND DEGREE – F
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 07/25/2024
at approximately 1700, while on uniformed patrol in unincorporated Chatham County, I responded to a call regarding a baby left inside a car screaming at 7360 Skidaway Rd (Family Dollar parking lot).
Upon arrival, the child was already removed from the vehicle and fire was on scene checking the child until EMS arrived to do a more thorough check on the child. I observed the child sweating and crying due to the discomfort. The child appeared to have eczema all over his body that resembled burn marks. The eczema did not appear to be being treated properly and appeared to cause the child discomfort. I questioned the witness, Ms. [WITNESS ], while EMS checked the child. She advised that the mother, Ms. Jones, was in the store for at least 20 minutes before running outside to get her child. EMS cleared the child and advised they would not be taking him to the hospital.
During this time the weather was about 85 degrees and the rain was off and on.
I spoke with Ms. Jones and she advised that she left the child in the car for only 3 minutes. She stated she left the child in the car because it was raining and did not want him to get wet. She stated she was going inside to get him some cream for his skin. She advised that she rolled all the windows down for him but the car was not on. I explained that she cannot leave a child unattended and the she could be arrested for doing so. All the windows were only rolled down about 3 inches. I informed Ms. Jones that we will be watching camera footage to see how long she was in the store and how long the child was left in the car. Attempting to get a more honest answer from her about the time her child was left in the car. She then stated that it felt like 3 minutes but it was probably more. While explaining the issues with her actions, Ms. Jones seemed nonchalant. She did not appear too concerned for her child or the situation.
Ms. Jones was not arrested and was permitted to leave the scene after receiving a citation for expired registration (40-2-8). The vehicle registration expired on 11/19/2023.
Ms. [WITNESS ] advised that the manager of the Family Dollar would be available tomorrow between 0800-1200 to review the footage for exact times on Ms. Jones.
DFACS was ed and a report was made. CIS [REDACTED] took my report and passed it on to Chatham County branch.
[End of Narrative]