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Paulding Detectives Arrest Home Daycare Owner for Assaulting Children

Featured Stories, Press Release January 28, 2023 , by

PRESS RELEASE -Paulding Detectives arrested a local woman for assaulting five different children ranging in ages from 8 months to three years old in her home daycare one day earlier this month.

After receiving an anonymous tip on Wednesday January 25, 2023, Detectives from the Juvenile Division of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched an investgation into the incident.

Once Detectives were alerted by a tipster of video evidence which clearly shows the assaults taking place on January 12, 2023, Detectives determined who the suspect was and secured a search warrant for the daycare and arrest warrants for the suspect.

Once the warrants were secured, Detectives immediately went to the Reach For The Sky Academy, LLC home daycare which is operated by Marie Lipsky and located at 71 Mill Creek Lane Hiram, GA 30141.

Detectives made contact with Lipsky when they served the search warrant and ultimately arrested her without incident at the home based business on January 25, 2023.

Goldia Marie Lipsky (W/F, 63 YOA) was preliminarily arrested and charged with the following offenses in relation to the assault.

-1 Count of Aggravated Assault (F)

-2 Counts of Cruelty to Children (First Degree) (F)

-5 Counts of Cruetly to Children (Third Degree) (M)

Lipsky is being held in the Paulding County Jail with no bond.

As this investigation progresses, we expect more charges to be filed against Lipsky.

Detectives would like to encouarge anyone who may have additional information regarding the Reach For The Sky Academy, LLC home daycare or know of any additional victims from this daycare, to please call the Investigations Tip Line at (770) 443-3047 or send a tip via the Paulding Sheriff Mobile app.

Paulding County Men Arrested for Narcotics and Gun Possession

Community, Featured News, Police & Government November 23, 2022 , by
HPDTF Agents Arrest Paulding County Men for Narcotics and Gun Possession.
(Paulding County, GA) Agents with the Haralson-Paulding Drug Task Force (HPDTF) made a substantial drug arrest in Paulding County last month. After a lengthy investigation, HPDTF Agents assisted the Georgia Department of Community Supervision with a probation search of a residence on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 491 Dogwood Path Hiram, GA 30141.
During the search of the mobile home, HPDTF Agents recovered large amounts of illegal narcotics to include approximately 932 grams (2 lbs.) of suspected methamphetamine, 105 grams (3.75 oz.) of suspected heroin, and 946 grams (2.1 lbs.) of suspected marijuana. A Glock 40 caliber handgun was also recovered with multiple extended capacity magazines along with one drum magazine.
The below listed individuals were placed in custody without incident at the scene and charged with the following offenses (VGCSA – Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act):
Donald Ray Smith (aka “Duck”) (W/M, 46 YOA)
-VGCSA Trafficking Methamphetamine (F)
-VGCSA Trafficking Heroin (F)
-VGCSA Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute (F)
-VGCSA Possession of Marijuana (F)
-Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F)
Charles Kenneth Pilgrim (W/M, 67 YOA)
-VGCSA: Trafficking Methamphetamine (F)
Both suspects are currently being held in the Paulding County Jail. Smith has no bond and Pilgrim has a bond of $33,200. The HPDTF is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force comprised of local law enforcement Officers and Deputies from agencies in Haralson and Paulding Counties. The HPDTF is overseen by a Special Agent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). If you have any information about this case or any other case involving illegal narcotics, please contact the Haralson-Paulding Drug Task Force at (770) 646-9175 or send a message via the free Paulding Sheriff mobile app.

Paulding County Supports the Chamblee Police Department

Community November 7, 2022 , by

Everyone in Paulding County supports the Chamblee Police Department and Lieutenant Collar. Lieutenant Collar was shot last week during an incident that took place in Chamblee. We pray for his continued healing.

 

Burnt Hickory Elementary- Touch a Truck Event

Community, Police & Government October 4, 2022 , by

The Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and K-9 Unit stopped by Burnt Hickory Elementary this morning for their touch a truck event. The kids had a blast. We love supporting the Paulding County School District.

Detention Officer Janice Borders Officially Retired

Community, Police & Government, Press Release October 3, 2022 , by
Paulding County, GA- On Monday October 3, 2022, Detention Officer Janice Borders officially retired from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. An official retirement celebration was held at the Sheriff’s Office with Detention Officer Borders’ family, friends, and co-workers present.
Detention Officer Borders began her law enforcement career with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office on September 20, 2001, as a Jailer. Detention Officer Borders quickly realized her passion was working in the Jail, which is the reason she stayed in the Jail Division for the majority of her career. During her over 21-year career with the Sheriff’s Office, she served under two different sheriffs.
Detention Officer Borders began her career with the Sheriff’s Office like most, working in our Jail Division. She attended Basic Jail training at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy where she graduated and became a P.O.S.T. certified Jailer. For a short time, Detention Officer Borders worked in the Warrants/Civil Division as an administrative clerk before moving back to the Jail Division. Detention Officer Borders spent the majority of her career in the Jail Division working in many different positions at the Jail, to include a supervisory role at one point. For the past twelve years, Detention Officer Borders has been tasked with being the Court Services liaison where she worked closely with the many different courts in Paulding County.
Sheriff Gary Gulledge stated, “Janice was a hard worker and always enjoyed her job in our Jail Division. She was extremely knowledgeable about our Jail and the court system and will be truly missed. I am thankful that Janice has the opportunity to retire, and I hope she has plenty of time to relax with her family.”
Detention Officer Borders’ law enforcement career has spanned over 21 years. During her tenure in law enforcement, she has seen many changes. We want to wish Detention Officer Borders a happy and relaxing retirement. Now she will have plenty of time to enjoy life and spend time with her family.

Paulding County Man Wanted for Insurance Fraud, Forgery

Community, Police & Government, Press Release September 30, 2022 , by

ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Mario Vaughn, 33, of Douglasville, has been charged with insurance fraud and forgery.

On September 29th, 2021, Mr. Vaughn submitted a personal injury protection claim to his insurance company in response to a crash in which he was a passenger.

“Mr. Vaughn transmitted a medical invoice from Buckhead Spine Specialists to his insurance company as evidence for the claim, which totaled more than $6,500 between work periods lost and medical costs incurred,” said Commissioner King. “Our investigation revealed that Mr. Vaughn was never a client of Buckhead Spine Specialists, and the providers listed have never been affiliated or employed by the practice.”

Warrants were taken out against Mr. Vaughn in Paulding County on September 19th for insurance fraud and forgery in the first degree. He is still wanted at this time.

Click here for more information

Paulding Co. Detectives Arrest Teen in a Local Teen’s Murder

Community, Police & Government September 27, 2022 , by
Paulding Deputies arrest a Carroll County teenager for the murder of a Paulding County teen yesterday afternoon. On Saturday September 24, 2022, at 3:32 PM a 911 call was placed to Paulding E-911 regarding an assault in progress where a person was shot at 197 Southern Oaks Drive Dallas, GA 30157 (Southern Oaks Subdivision).
When Deputies arrived at the residence, they discovered that the male suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle prior to their arrival. They also found that the victim was located in the loft apartment (of a detached garage on the property) with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. When Fire and EMS personnel arrived, they treated and transported the victim, later identified as a white male juvenile (17 YOA), to Wellstar Paulding Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Paulding Detectives, along with Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), immediately developed a suspect in the case. Thus far, Detectives and Agents have not been able to determine what led up to the shooting and are still unclear as to why the suspect shot the victim.
Paulding Deputies, with the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force (SERFTF), were able to make contact with the suspect and encourage him to turn himself in. On Sunday September 25, 2022 at approximately 9:00 PM, Carson Nathanial Kennedy (W/M, 17 YOA) turned himself into Paulding and SERFTF Deputies at the Sheriff’s Office where he was taken into custody without incident.
Kennedy has been charged with Murder (F) thus far. Detectives and Agents anticipate more charges in the coming days as the investigation develops. Kennedy is being held in the Paulding County Jail without bond.
Detectives and Agents want to encourage anyone who may any information about this incident to contact them at the Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (770) 443-3047 or via the Paulding Sheriff mobile app.

Update: Murder Investigation at 10230 Buchanan Highway

Police & Government July 15, 2022 , by

UPDATE: Murder Investigation at 10230 Buchanan Highway

A male individual called Paulding E-911 reference an unknown problem on Wednesday July 13, 2022, at approximately 12:16 PM. Deputies responded to 10230 Buchanan Highway Dallas, GA in order to determine what was going on. When they got to the residence, Deputies had trouble making contact with anyone at the home. Eventually, Deputies were able to make contact with an intoxicated male on scene, later identified as Joseph Mykytyn III (W/M, 43 YOA), who allowed them to enter the residence. It was later determined that Mykytyn was not a resident at this address. Once Deputies entered the home they located the homeowner, who has been identified as James Entrekin (W/M, 66 YOA), deceased inside the residence.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) secured a search warrant for the home. Detectives and Agents then searched the home and spoke with Mykytyn about the incident. As a result of their investigation, Detectives and Agents were able to preliminarily determine that Entrekin died as a result of a gunshot wound and that the manner of death appears to be consistent with that of a homicide.

Detectives and Agents subsequently arrested Mykytyn and he is being secured within the Paulding County Jail and held without bond. Mykytyn has been charged with the following offenses:

-Felony Murder (F)

-Malice Murder (F)

-Aggravated Assault (F)

-Exploitation of an Elder / Elder Abuse (F)

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (770) 443-3047 or send a message via the free Paulding Sheriff mobile app.

23rd Annual Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc Christmas Shopping

Community December 10, 2021 , by
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office will hold their 23rd annual Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc. Christmas shopping event on Saturday December 11, 2021 at 7:00 AM. As usual, the event will take place at the Dallas Walmart on Marietta Highway (3615 Marietta Hwy. Dallas, GA 30157).
Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc. participants are selected through an application process to verify that the children are truly needy and that they are residents of Paulding County. Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc. focuses on boys and girls ages 6 to 13. The reason that age range was selected was so that law enforcement officers could try and make a lasting and positive impact on those children. Last year we had over 200 children participate in the virtual Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc. program and we spent approximately $45,000 total. This year each child will be paired with a local law enforcement officer and together they shop for up to $250 in gifts for the child. In 2019, there were over 200 law enforcement and civilian participants that volunteered their time to take the kids shopping.
Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc. raises money all year. The two biggest fundraisers are an annual golf tournament and a donation request letter which is sent to most every business license holder in Hiram, Dallas, and unincorporated Paulding County. The majority of funds that are used in the program are donated by local businesses.
“These children would not have a Christmas without this program and its volunteers,” said Sheriff Gulledge. “It is so important that these children get to experience Christmas the same way that many of us remember it.”
If you feel compelled to donate to Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc., we would encourage you to do so. There are several ways to assist local children; you can drop off a check at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Monday – Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. You can mail us a check at the below address, or you can donate electronically via our PayPal account:
Paulding County Sheriff’s Office
Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc.
Attention: Lieutenant Tracy Parker
180 Constitution Boulevard
Dallas, Georgia 30132.

Missing Person: Justin Whitaker

News December 9, 2021 , by
Justin Whitaker was reported missing by his family earlier today (12/08/21). He was last seen (by his family) as he was leaving his home (on foot)on Sunday (12/05/21). Whitaker was wearing tan pants and a camouflage shirt when he left. He was last seen in the area of Old McGarity Place which is in between the Yorkville / Union Communities of western Paulding County. Thus far, there are no suspicions of foul play, although his family is concerned for his well-being.
If you see Whitaker or know of his whereabouts, please call 911, the Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (770) 443-3047, or send a message via the Paulding Sheriff mobile app.

Missing Person: Christian Ashley Hunter

News November 19, 2021 , by
Earlier this week, Christian Ashley Hunter (W/M, 31 YOA) was reported missing by his family. He was last known to reside on McClung Road in Hiram, Georgia.
As a result of their investigation, Detectives have reason to believe that Hunter may be living in the area of Fort Brag, North Carolina. Hunter was last heard from by his family on September 3, 2021. Thus far, Hunter’s family doesn’t have any reason to believe he is in any danger, they are just concerned because they haven’t heard from him in a while.
If you have any information on Hunter’s whereabouts, please call 911, send us a message via the free Paulding Sheriff mobile app, or by calling the Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (770) 443-3047.

Paulding Detectives Make Arrests in Entering Auto Theft Ring

Press Release November 18, 2021 , by
(Paulding County, GA) Last week, Paulding Detectives made two arrests which helped solve an entering auto theft ring in Paulding County. On Thursday November 11, 2021, Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division along with Deputies from the Warrants/Civil Division, executed a search warrant at 183 Potomac Drive Dallas, GA 30132. During the search of that residence, a significant amount of property that had been stolen from approximately nine different unlocked vehicles over the past few months were located.
Additionally, Detectives located numerous driver’s licenses, identification cards, financial transaction cards, and checks from victims both inside and outside of Paulding County. Detectives also located drug paraphernalia along with suspected methamphetamine in the two rooms that the suspects occupied within the residence.
As a result of their findings during the search warrant, Kirsten Dindlebeck and Steven McAdams were arrested without incident. Detectives indicated that as the investigation continues, more charges are possible in Paulding County. Dindlebeck and McAdams are under investigation for similar incidents in a neighboring county. Paulding Detectives will be working with several jurisdictions in order to get property returned to all of the victims. Listed below are the charges Dindlebeck and McAdams are facing:
Steven Roy McAdams (W/M, 28 YOA)
-7 Counts Entering Auto (F)
-1 Count Financial Transaction Card Fraud (F)
-2 Counts Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (F)
-1 Count VGCSA Possession of Meth (F)
Kristen Ann Dindlebeck (W/F, 38 YOA)
-7 Counts Entering Auto (F)
-1 Count Theft By Receiving Stolen Property (F)
-1 Count VGCSA Possession of Meth (F)
-1 Count Contempt of Court
If you have any information about Dindlebeck or McAdams regarding these entering auto cases, or any other theft/entering auto cases, please call Detectives at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (770) 443-3047. You can also download the free Paulding Sheriff mobile app to send a message to Detectives as well.
Detectives would like to reinforce the importance of locking your vehicle at night. The items that were stolen in these cases all came from unlocked vehicles. Every year, the majority of entering auto reports that the Sheriff’s Office receives, involve unlocked vehicles. Don’t make yourself a victim, please lock your cars.

Operation Watchful Eye VI

Press Release November 8, 2021 , by
Operation Watchful Eye VI
(Paulding County, GA) Thanks to an initiative involving 66 Georgia Sheriffs, 35 sex offenders were arrested and 51 warrants were issued across the state from October 25 – November 1, 2021 for violations of state registration laws. In 2015, the first coordinated effort across the state was launched to conduct residence verifications and compliance checks of registered sex offenders during a specific time period. The coordinated initiative became known as Operation Watchful Eye. Due to the overwhelming success of the original initiative, Georgia’s Sheriffs have made this an annual operation and recently conducted Operation Watchful Eye VI.
The Office of Sheriff is mandated by law to register sex offenders and to keep the public informed of where registered sex offenders reside, work and attend school. Throughout the year, each sheriff’s office verifies addresses provided by registered sex offenders. While conducting residence verifications, deputies also assure additional registration requirements are being adhered to.
The purpose of this statewide effort is to create awareness that sheriffs’ offices work collectively, network, and actively engage their office by participating in statewide verification checks and other non-compliant matters in order to make our state safer. In numerous counties, deputy sheriffs, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Probation officers and Department of Community Supervision probation/parole officers worked together to verify sex offenders comply with the law.
Preliminary reporting by the 66 participating sheriff’s offices reveals 10,330 registered sex offenders, 341 predators and 351 homeless sex offenders are currently living in their counties. During the one week operation, 6,283 residence verifications were conducted, 59 new sex offenders moved into the reporting counties, 51 new warrants were issued for violations of the sex offender registry law, 3 warrants were issued for new sex offenses, 26 warrants were issued for residency violations of the sex offender registry and 13 warrants were issued for other miscellaneous new charges. More importantly, it was discovered that 467 sex offenders had absconded from their last known address, which will require the sheriff to work with other supporting agencies and track these individuals down.
Remember, for the protection of your family and neighbors, download the free Paulding Sheriff mobile app or visit the http://gbi.georgia.gov/georgia-sex-offender-registry for more information on the whereabouts of registered sex offenders in your community. #PauldingSheriff #OperationWatchfulEyeVI

Unsubstantiated School Threats for Paulding Co.

News October 29, 2021 , by
Unsubstantiated School Threats
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and the Paulding County School District always strive to communicate with our citizens about issues that impact our schools, especially issues related to student safety. We wanted to make you aware of unsubstantiated threats to student safety that are circulating on social media, particularly on Snapchat. These threats are not specific to Paulding County schools and are circulating nationwide. They include references to “shooting up” schools such as “Central”, “East”, “North”, “South”, and “West”. Of course, as three of Paulding County’s high schools have directional names, some of these messages have been taken to be directed at our schools. We want you to know that is not the case and that these threats are being investigated by federal law enforcement as well as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Our School Resource Officers work with students in our schools daily to ensure a safe learning environment, and our school district works closely with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office on all matters of safety that affect our schools. Due to the nature of social media, rumors and misinformation can spready very quickly. We encourage our students not to share these posts, but to instead report concerning information to the Vector Alert System, to a teacher, to a school administrator, or to any other adult. The Vector Alert system allows anyone to submit tips both directly to school district administrators and safety personnel, and tips can be left anonymously if you choose. Please visit https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/safety

for more information.

Board of Education Seeks Tax Relief For Paulding County Seniors

Board of Education, News October 28, 2021 , by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Paulding County Board of Education has approved a resolution calling for a public referendum to lower
education property taxes for Paulding County’s senior citizens.
Under current property tax law, Paulding County property owners 65 years of age and older have a 50 percent
exemption on all education ad valorem property taxes levied by the school district, including ad valorem taxation to
pay interest on or to retire school bond indebtedness. Additionally, all Paulding County property owners 70 years of
age and older are completely exempt from all ad valorem education property taxes levied by the school district.
Under the new resolution approved by the Board of Education at its regular meeting on Oct. 26, 2021, Paulding
County property owners 65 years of age and older would still have a 50 percent exemption on all education ad
valorem property taxes levied by the school district but would be completely exempt from ad valorem taxation to
pay interest on or to retire school bond indebtedness. Additionally, the resolution calls for a two-year phase-in to
lower the age at which seniors receive a 100-percent exemption from all education ad valorem property taxes to 68
years from the current 70 years. Beginning January 1, 2023, property owners 69 years of age and older would be
completely exempt from all education ad valorem property taxes, including ad valorem taxation to pay interest on or
to retire school bond indebtedness, and beginning January 1, 2024, the age for a total exemption from all education
ad valorem property taxes would lower to 68.
“The Paulding County Board of Education is committed to fiscal responsibility and providing Paulding County
students the highest quality education possible through responsible taxation of property owners,” said school board
Chairman Jeff Fuller. “Lowering education property taxes for seniors who don’t have children in our schools makes
common sense, and this measure extends those exemptions to a wider group of citizens. It also does so in a
responsible way by phasing in the age reduction over two years, which is especially important for a low-wealth
school district such as Paulding County.”
The resolution first must be considered this spring by the Georgia Legislature as local legislation. Modification of
the current exemptions would require passage of a local Referendum to be voted on by Paulding County citizens in
November 2022.

BOE Names Steve Barnette the Sole Finalist for Superintendent

Board of Education, News October 28, 2021 , by

The Paulding County Board of Education has named Steve Barnette the sole finalist to be the next superintendent of
the Paulding County School District. Mr. Barnette was approved as the sole finalist at the
school board’s regular meeting today. Georgia law requires that 14 days pass between a
candidate being named finalist and the appointment becoming official. The school board will
vote on final approval following that period. In May, the school board had named Mr.
Barnette interim superintendent effective June 1, 2021.
The Paulding County School District is located in Dallas, Georgia. With 33 schools, more
than 30,000 students, and more than 3,800 employees across the county, the school district
strives to Engage, Inspire and Prepare students for success today and tomorrow. More
information about the school district can be found at www.paulding.k12.ga.us.

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