Maria Strickland

Name of Accused:
STRICKLAND, MARIA NICOLE

Date of Arrest:
06/28/2024


Charges For Arrest:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE/CAUSES EXCESSIVE PHYS/MENTAL PAIN-2ND DEGREE
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE/CAUSES EXCESSIVE PHYS/MENTAL PAIN-2ND DEGREE
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
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 the 23rd day of June 2024
at 10:50hrs I Deputy B. Ivey 029 responded to [300 BLOCK] Lovvorn Farm Road in reference to a concern for welfare on two Juveniles being locked out of their house while their parents were doing drugs. The caller had also advised that there were approximately 60 cats in the house as well.
Upon my arrival I met and spoke with [WITNESS ]/Witness at the front steps of the residence. When questioned where [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/Victim and [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/Victim (the two juveniles) were, [WITNESS ] advised that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was inside taking a shower and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was with his Grandmother in her RV located on the property. I then asked [WITNESS ] if he could take me to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] so I could check on him while [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was finishing up which he agreed.
Once at the RV I met and Spoke with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and his Grandmother. They both advised after being questioned about the reason I was there that big Nick/Offender (the father) had gotten upset last night, but he was fine this morning and nothing physical had occurred. They then advised that big Nick had left this morning to go to work.
After speaking with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] I then went back to the front of the house while [WITNESS ] ran inside to get [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. When [WITNESS ] returned Maria Strickland/Offender followed with him. [WITNESS ] then advised that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] would be out shortly, so I asked Maria if she had known anything about the incident which she advised the same as [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and his Grandmother. Once [REDACTED BY AGENCY] exited the residence she advised that everything was ok.
After speaking with all parties on scene I check my in car computer to see if the caller wanted a phone call and upon looking I learned that the call did not give a name and listed in my call notes it was listed anonymous so I went back into service.
Later that day at 11:56hrs I, Deputy B. Ivey 029, responded back out to the resident in regards to a dispute between the caller from the concern for welfare (later identified as [WITNESS ]/Uncle and [WITNESS ]/Aunt), Maria and Nick. While speaking with the parties on scene it was discovered that [WITNESS ], Maria, [REDACTED BY AGENCY], [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and the Grandmother had not told the full truth about the incidents that had taken place at the residents.
While speaking with [WITNESS ] he expressed his concern about the unfit living conditions for the children, and that the children had no access to food. Which I then had Maria escort me through the residents were I found approximately 60 cat roaming the house along with trash/feces piles throughout the house and a stench that engulfed the entire residence. While inside I seen no remnants of food and learned that the only water source was the shower and toilet in the residents. I then left the residence and made with DFCS and awaited their arrival.
When DFCS arrived, they spoke with the adults and viewed the property. DFCS made the descision to place the children with [WITNESS ] and [WITNESS ] as a safety plan. The children were removed without incident.
[End of Narrative]