GAINESVILLE - A former Gainesville teacher who was out on bond on child molestation charges is still on the run after disappearing with his 4-year-old daughter last week - and the little girl's mother said she fears the worst.
Jerry Jones disappeared early Friday with his daughter, Madison Kerr.
Jones, a former Gainesville Elementary School teacher, was arrested in December on child molestation charges. Now he is the subject of a manhunt and his estranged wife, Rene Kerr, fears the worst.
``I do not think he would lay a hand on her, but he's wanted on federal arrest warrants,'' Kerr said. ``When they catch him, it's not going to be nice. There will be guns, there will be force he's putting her in harm's way. He's not acting rationally. When you're making irrational decisions, you're not thinking about what would be best for those around you or how to keep them safe.''
Jones was released on bond Jan. 8 with several conditions, including only supervised visits with his daughter.
He knew Friday that he was going to be arrested for violating the conditions of his bond, Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh said. Darragh would not say how Jones violated the bond, but said the offense did not involve Madison.
Knowing he soon would go to jail, Jones arranged to visit with Madison at his sister's house in Forsyth County.
Kerr had planned to divorce Jones before he was arrested, but does not believe he is guilty of molesting children.
``He's never talked about running,'' Kerr said. ``But he's talked repeatedly about not wanting to go back to jail. He loves his daughter and spending time with her. Being there means not being able to do that.''
Jones and Madison were last seen in a 1996 White Ford Taurus with Georgia Wildlife tag BW6 B02, red paint or ink streaks on the passenger-side rear bumper and anti-abortion bumper stickers.
Authorities do not consider the case kidnapping because Jones is Madison's custodial parent.
Saturday
July 5th, 2025
11:58AM
