GAINESVILLE—An 18-year-old Gainesville mother faces charges after authorities found her 16-month-old son in the back seat of her car, bound with packing tape and cellophane.
According to Deputy Nicole Bailes with the Hall County Sheriff's Office, deputies were sent to the cul-de-sac of Ahaluna Drive Wednesday evening around 6:45 in response to a reported suspicious vehicle.
Once they arrived, they found a locksmith, who said he was called to the same location because somebody was locked out of their vehicle. The boy's mother, Grace An, was the one who called him.
"The locksmith indicated that while he was unlocking the vehicle he discovered a small child bound by tape in the back seat," said Bailes in a phone interview.
Authorities went straight to the vehicle and found the 16-month-old in the back seat with cellophane and packing tape wrapped around his hands, feet and mouth.
Bailes said investigators determined An was the one who bound the boy.
"There's no question as to how the child became bound by the tape and cellophane," said Bailes.
Authorities were able to get an ambulance to the scene before it was too late.
"The child was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where he was evaluated and eventually released to DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services)," said Bailes.
Authorities arrested An on charges of first-degree child cruelty, reckless conduct and false imprisonment. She is being held without bond at the Hall County Detention Center, and more charges are expected in the case.
No other parties are believed to be involved at this point.
