CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. – On March 18, 2025, Stefon Smith, a 43-year old man from Hamilton County, was convicted by a Catoosa County jury after a two-day trial on two counts of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, one count of Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree, two counts of Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree, False Imprisonment, and Family Violence Battery.

On May 11, 2023, the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into Smith after he committed acts of domestic violence on May 10, 2023.

The evidence presented at trial showed that Smith shared a residence with the mother of his 9-month-old daughter, along with the mother’s 3-year-old son and 5-year-old son from a previous marriage.

On the evening of May 10, 2023, Smith complained to the children’s mother that he was not satisfied with the way she had prepared dinner.

Smith became enraged, yelling and screaming at the family, and broke a glass while at the dinner table.

The mother left the dinner table with her children due to Smith’s behavior and locked herself and the children in a bedroom while asking Smith to leave the residence.

Smith forced his way into the bedroom, picked up the 5-year-old boy by the shirt collar and threw him.

Smith then turned his attention to the children’s mother and began assaulting her by striking her and pulling her hair.

While the mother was holding the 9-month-old baby, Smith forcibly pushed the mother down on top of the baby and held her on top of the child.

Smith refused to allow the mother and children to leave the room and then held a firearm to his own head while demanding that the mother shoot him.

Smith left the residence the following day.

The mother reported the abuse to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office and took the children to T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital to be examined.

While examining Smith’s 9-month-old daughter, it was discovered that the baby tested positive for cocaine.

After being interviewed by Catoosa County Investigator Clay Thompson, Smith admitted to being a cocaine user and exposing the child to cocaine.

Immediately following the return of a guilty verdict, Smith was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Chris Arnt to fifty years, with the first thirty years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The State of Georgia was represented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman.

The case was diligently investigated by Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Clay Thompson.

The victims of the crime were supported throughout the prosecution by Victim Advocate Shelby Armstrong.

District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller praised the work of his trial team and law enforcement.

“The trial team and the jury did what needed to be done: they stood up for that family and for justice. I want to thank the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Investigator Clay Thompson, and Judge Chris Arnt for making sure this violent abuser didn’t walk away with a slap on the wrist. In Tennessee, he might’ve gotten a talking to and probation. In Georgia, he got 50 years. If you’re thinking about bringing your violent crimes across the border-don’t. In Northwest Georgia, we don’t play.”