Oddysse Ragland

Name of Accused:
Ragland, Oddysse Ariel

Date of Arrest:
07/08/2024

Charges For Arrest:
Cruelty To Child, Deprivation Of Sustenance, 1st
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 July 8, 2024, I, Officer Avila responded to [REDACTED BY AGENCY], Dalton, Ga in reference to a missing person.
Upon arrival, I met with Mrs. [REDACTED], the complainant at the backyard of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Mrs. [REDACTED] was standing by the juvenile male in the backyard. The juvenile appeared to be under 4 years of age. I attempted to speak to the juvenile male. Asking simple questions such as where is home? wheres is mom? or dad? The juvenile would not respond verbally. The juvenile would mumble and began to clap his hands and cover his ears. Due to the juveniles mannerisms, not making eye contact, nor making any social or verbal cues. I believed the juvenile to have autism or some type of disability.
The juvenile had fresh insect bites on his body. No shoes. Only shorts on and appeared to have a diaper. The juvenile has urinated through the diaper and the diaper seemed to be extremely full.
I informed dispatch to send other officers to my location. This is because the juvenile would not respond and would attempt to walk away. I informed dispatch to have DFCS to arrive to the location as well.
Once officers arrived I informed them to check the residence of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] that had an open front door. Due to Mrs. [REDACTED] believing that the juvenile belonged there.
Ofc Herrera arrived on scene and approached the juvenile. The juvenile responded to her and held her hand to Ofc Herrera’s patrol car. I then went to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and Ofc. Womack informed me that they woke up a female that was asleep in the bedroom.
Oddysse Ragland, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] arrived at the front door. Ragland informed us that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] is autistic and non-verbal. Ragland stated that they were asleep and her mother leaves at 0600 hours for work. Ragland stated that her mother uses the back door instead of the front because [REDACTED BY AGENCY] does not know about the back door. Ragland stated that the front door does have a lock to prevent [REDACTED BY AGENCY] from exiting. Ragland stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] knows how to open the front door. Ragland stated that she usually hears [REDACTED BY AGENCY] when he wakes up because of his footsteps.
Ragland stated that she got home at night at 0100hrs. I asked Ragland if she worked and she said she did not. Ragland stated that her mother usually tells her when she leaves at 0600hrs for work. Ragland stated that the only time the front door is unlocked is when her mother is in a rush.
I then learned that this is the second incident that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] has been found unsupervised jeopardizing the child’s health an well being this year February 14, 2024. Case #24-000894.
I decided to arrest Ms. Ragland in accordance with O.C.G.A 16-5-70 (a) cruelty to children. Due to the fact, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was under the supervision of Ms. Ragland jeopardizing the child’s health and well-being and depriving the child’s necessary sustenance.
Ms. Ragland notified an aunt and her mother of the situation. I placed Ms. Ragland in handcuffs after she had prepared [REDACTED BY AGENCY] diaper bag. I escorted Ms. Ragland to my patrol car while allowing her to see [REDACTED BY AGENCY]
Ms. Ragland was placed in front of my patrol car and searched by Ofc. Herrera 592. No contraband was located nor weapons on Ragland’s person. Ragland was placed in the back seat of my patrol car. The back seat was searched prior to Ragland’s arrest. Ragland confirmed she was a U.S. citizen when I asked. Ragland was secured with a safety belt.
I transported Ragland to the Whitfield County Jail. My duty weapon was secured in the Whitifield County Jail lock box in the sally port. I then had Ms. Ragland step out of the back seat of the patrol car. Ragland was placed in custody of the Whitifield County booking staff. I charged Ragland with O.C.G.A 16-5-70 (a) cruelty to children on warrantless arrest #68989
[End of Narrative]