Jennfer Ruthford

Name of Accused:
Ruthford, Jennfer Rae

Date of Arrest:
07/07/2024


Charges For Arrest:
Public Drunkenness – M
Public Drunkenness – M
DISORDERLY CONDUCT – M
DISORDERLY CONDUCT – M
OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS-MISD. – M
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS – M
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 07/07/24, I responded to [10 BLOCK] Holly Springs Cir, located in the City of Port Wentworth, Chatham County, GA, in reference to a domestic dispute.
On arrival, I spoke with [VICTIM ] about what was going on. [VICTIM ] stated the following: Her daughter woke up, so she fixed breakfast and gave her a bath. After giving her daughter a bath, Jennifer Ruthford ([VICTIM ]’ mother), got into a verbal altercation about Ruthford being intoxicated. During the altercation, Ruthford went outside in her bikini, was yelling and cursing, just after 0800 hours. She went outside to get Ruthford back inside. While outside, Ruthford rushed back inside, locking her out, away from her daughter. [VICTIM ] continued to state all she wanted to do was get her daughter and leave.
I knocked on the door several times, in an attempt to speak with Ruthford about what was going on and let her know [VICTIM ] wanted to get her daughter. [VICTIM ] wanted to kick in the door, which I informed her I could not; that she could call a locksmith or force her way into the residence, but not at that time.
I called Sgt Allen to let him know what was going on with the domestic. After hanging up with him, I obtained Ruthford’s phone number from [VICTIM ], relating it to Sgt Allen, so he could attempt to call to get her to open the door. I went back to the door, knocking and announcing the presence of the Police. I could hear Ruthford in the residence, speaking very loudly, but unable to make out what she was saying. At some point, I heard [VICTIM ]’ daughter crying, which upset [VICTIM ]. I informed her I needed some information from her and I would give her a case card.
I collected [VICTIM ]’ information, her boyfriend, [WITNESS ] (who was outside and did not speak English), the Juvenile’s, and Ruthford’s. I handed [VICTIM ] the case card with a case number and informed her of resources she can call.
As Cpl Siar and myself were walking away we heard a loud noise turned around, noticing the front door was kicked open by [WITNESS ]. We stood where we stopped, watching [VICTIM ] walk inside to get her daughter. Shortly after, Ruthford came outside, yelling and cursing. At this time, I had called Sgt Allen to let him know what was now going on. Cpl Siar was attempting to speak with Ruthford, but Ruthford was not wanting to listen and was yelling and cursing over Cpl Siar.
Ruthford stated [WITNESS ] did not live at the location, after [VICTIM ] told us he lived there. Ruthford stated several times she wanted [WITNESS ] kicked out and he was not allowed at the residence. Ruthford went back inside, closing the door, then came back out, continuing with the yelling and cursing.
I was on the phone with Lt Anderson, to ask him to speak with [WITNESS ], but I informed Lt Anderson I would call him back, due to Ruthford coming back outside and yelling and cursing. Ruthford went back into the residence, closing the door. Cpl Siar and I followed in, by opening to door. Ruthford was not able to be seen, I asked [VICTIM ] where Ruthford was and we were informed she was inside the kitchen. Cpl Siar and I were inside the residence when Ruthford appeared from the kitchen with a Voodoo Ranger (an alcoholic beverage). I informed Ruthford she was being placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct and Public Drunkeness. Ruthford stated we were not going to arrest her, walked out the back door to the patio.
At this time, I grabbed Ruthford’s left wrist, applied a handcuff to her, and she sat on a chair. Cpl Siar and I both gave verbal instructions for her to stand up, which she refused to do. We assisted Ruthford to her feet by lifting her up using her arms. I placed Ruthford’s right wright in a handcuff. I then readjusted the left handcuff, checking for fit on both wrists and double-locking them. While handcuffing Ruthford, she admitted to drinking all night and I also observed the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her person.
Ruthford was taken to my patrol vehicle, where she was put in. I went back to the residence and asked [VICTIM ] to get a t-shirt and a pair of pants. [VICTIM ] brought back a t-shirt and shorts. The shorts were too small, and [VICTIM ] was able to get me another pair. The t-shirt was slid over Ruthford’s arms and Cpl Siar put the shorts on Ruthford. Ruthford was complaining of the handcuffs, so I put a second pair on her.
Once all the paperwork was completed, I transported Ruthford to the Chatham County Detention Center. While enroute, Ruthford complained of the handcuffs hurting her, her left arm hurting. Ruthford somehow managed to slip her left hand out of the handcuffs. Once at CCDC, I unbuckled Ruthford, assisted her with stepping out, and placed a single set of handcuffs on her in the front.
While waiting in the Sally Port Vestibule, I informed Ruthford her bond was $3,400 and she had a court date of September 03, 2024
at 1330 hours. Ruthford sat on the floor, and stated she needed assistance with getting up. A female Deputy and myself went to assist her with standing up, she then got to a knee by herself and the Deputy assisted Ruthford with standing up the rest of the way.
The nurse asked Ruthford a series of questions and Ruthford told the nurse she wanted to harm herself. Once I was told Ruthford was cleared, she was taken by the staff and I went to the Sergeant’s desk to complete the paperwork.
[End of Narrative]