Tracy Matthews

Name of Accused:
Matthews, Tracy

Date of Arrest:
10/14/2024


Charges For Arrest:
Cruelty to Children (2nd Degree) – 3 Counts
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.]
At approximately 0715 hrs, I officer Jamacia Mitchell and Corporal Skyler Jackson responded to a dispatched call on North Circle Drive and Georgia Street in reference to a man that was seen harassing kids who were awaiting the school bus. After arriving on scene, I spoke with one of the parents who were standing near the bus stop area along with a witness to the incident.
The mother of male juvenile 1 [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS ] had stated that the suspect, Tracey Mathews had grabbed her son’s backpack and grabbed the instrument casing which was attached. When speaking with male juvenile 2 and female juvenile 1, they were sitting on the bus. Male juvenile 2 stated that Mr. Mathews had threatened him and was chasing him near the school bus stop area. Female juvenile 1 stated that she witnessed Mr. Mathews attempting to jump on top of her grandfather’s car while being dropped off at the bus stop area. While she was waiting Mr. Mathews was making threats towards her and grabbed her backpack stating how he knew she had some dope on her.
A witness by the name of Mrs. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] [WITNESS ] stated that she heard loud yelling coming from outside and came outside to see what was going on. She also stated she witnessed Mr. Mathews chasing a juvenile near the school bus stop. Mrs. [WITNESS ] had in her hand what appeared to be a wooden stick. Mrs. [WITNESS ] stated that she initially thought that it was one of the stray dogs near the area that had the children scared due to it being an ongoing issue. Mrs. [WITNESS ] stated that she told Mr. Mathews to “get the hell on somewhere before she called the police.”
After meeting with the complainants and the witness, I came over to the porch area in which Mr. Mathews was initially sitting upon arrival. Cpl Jackson and I spoke with Mr. Mathews who appeared to be acting in a sporadic and deranged manner. I witnessed Mr. Mathews going in and out of conversations that he was having to himself along with Cpl Jackson.
After further investigation, Mr. Mathews was arrested for cruelty to children by Cpl Jackson and I. The rear backseat was ed before placing Mr. Mathews in the back of the patrol vehicle. After placing him in the backseat, dispatch was advised that we were in route to Toombs county where he was then turned over to the Toombs county Detention center. Dispatch was notified of the time of departure along with the arrival time. The rear backseat was checked after Mr. Mathews was out of the unit.
[End of Narrative]