Georgia Mom Jailed After 11-Year-Old Son Walked To Town Alone

On October 30, 2024, Brittany Patterson was arrested in Fannin County, Georgia, while three of her four children watched.

Georgia Mother Arrested After Son Walks Alone in Small Town

Earlier that day, Patterson had taken her eldest son to a medical appointment. Her 11-year-old son, Soren, was supposed to come along but wasn’t around when they left. Patterson, who lives on 16 acres with her father and children, wasn’t worried. “I thought he was either in the woods or at grandma’s house,” she explained. Her family, including her mother and sisters, lives nearby, and her husband works out of state.

Unbeknownst to Patterson, Soren had decided to walk to downtown Mineral Bluff, a small town with just 370 residents, about a mile from their home. As he walked along the road, a concerned passerby stopped to ask if he was alright. Soren assured her that he was fine, but she still called the police.

A Sheriff Stepps In

A female sheriff found Soren, picked him up, and contacted Patterson. When the sheriff asked if Patterson knew her son was downtown, she was surprised. While Patterson was upset that Soren hadn’t told anyone where he was going, she didn’t feel there was any real cause for concern. “I wasn’t panicked because I know the area and felt he was capable of making the walk safely,” she said.

However, the sheriff disagreed, citing concerns that Soren could have been hit by a car or kidnapped. The sheriff drove Soren home and left him with his grandfather. When Patterson returned, she spoke to her son about not wandering off without telling anyone and assumed that would be the end of it.

A Sudden Arrest

But around 6:30 p.m., the sheriff and another officer returned to Patterson’s home and arrested her in front of her children. Patterson, confused and distressed, was taken to jail, where she was later released on $500 bail.

Unexpected Safety Plan

The following day, the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) conducted a home visit and even interviewed Patterson’s eldest son at school. Although the case manager found no issues, DFCS presented Patterson with a "safety plan" that required her to appoint someone to supervise her children anytime she left the house. It also called for installing a tracking app on Soren’s phone to monitor his location.

Standing Her Ground

Patterson resisted these demands, feeling that Soren’s independence was being unnecessarily restricted. She reached out to David DeLugas, an attorney with ParentsUSA, a nonprofit that helps parents facing similar legal challenges. DeLugas argued that signing the safety plan would unfairly limit Soren's freedom.

In a conversation with the assistant district attorney (ADA), DeLugas was told that if Patterson agreed to the plan, the charges would be dropped. However, DeLugas maintained that Soren hadn’t been in immediate danger and that the plan was excessive. If Patterson refused to sign, she could face a reckless conduct charge, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 and a potential jail sentence of one year.

Refusing to Back Down

Patterson remains firm in her refusal to sign the safety plan, despite the risks. "I will not sign," she declared, standing by her decision to raise her children with a balance of independence and safety.

As the case moves forward, DeLugas is advocating for new laws in Georgia that would allow authorities to check on children without penalizing parents unless there is clear, immediate danger. In the meantime, Patterson continues to stand her ground, confident in her parenting choices.