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DISTRICT ATTORNEY DISMISSES CHARGES

IN MISCARRIAGE CASE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton Circuit District Attorney Patrick Warren released the following statement Friday morning:

District Attorney Patrick Warren announced today that all charges have been dismissed against a 24-year-old Tifton woman, Selena Chandler-Scott, who experienced a miscarriage and was later arrested after placing the fetal remains in a dumpster. 

The decision follows a comprehensive review of the Tifton Police Department’s investigative file, Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Medical Examiner’s report, relevant Georgia statutes and case law, and input from both legal and medical experts.

“After thorough examination of the facts and the law, my office has determined that continuing prosecution is not legally sustainable and not in the interest of justice,” said Warren. “This case is heartbreaking and emotionally difficult for everyone involved, but our decision must be grounded in law—not emotion or speculation.”

Warren addressed public concern regarding the timing of the charges, clarifying that his office advised law enforcement to wait for the full medical findings and completed witness statements before moving forward. 

Warren said, “While law enforcement acted in good faith and responded to a very difficult and emotional situation, it’s now clear that no criminal law was violated. As chief prosecutor, it’s my responsibility to take a step back and look at the complete picture. In this case, the medical examiner’s findings—combined with the legal standards—make clear that continued prosecution is not appropriate. This case highlights the importance of careful review and thoughtful decision-making, particularly in sensitive situations like pregnancy loss.”

Ms. Chandler-Scott was charged with concealing the death of another under O.C.G.A. § 16-10-31 and abandonment of a dead body under O.C.G.A. § 31-21-44.2. However, both statutes are inapplicable in this context. Georgia’s “concealing the death of another” statute is designed to prosecute individuals who deliberately hide the death of another person to mislead authorities about the manner of death. 

Georgia’s “throwing away or abandonment of a human body” makes it a felony in Georgia to knowingly discard or abandon a dead human body. 

Relevant Georgia case law requires that the death of the person – in both statutes – be of another, which was ‘born and existed separate and independent of its mother’ in order for the person charged to be found guilty. 

In this case, the GBI Medical Examiner’s report confirmed the fetus was approximately 19 weeks old and non-viable at the time it was naturally miscarried and had not taken a breath outside the womb. The findings indicated no signs of life or independent respiration occurred, and no evidence of trauma or foul play was present. 

These conclusions were critical in determining that Ms. Chandler-Scott’s disposal of the naturally miscarried, non-viable fetus did not involve any criminal act as it was not legally classified as having been born alive and lived independently under Georgia law.

Ms. Chandler-Scott was interviewed by law enforcement, during which time she told investigators she did not know what else to do with the fetal remains.

There is no specific Georgia statute or case law that addresses an individual’s choice to dispose of a naturally miscarried, non-viable fetus as it is generally deemed a medical condition and prosecution is not warranted. As such, there is insufficient evidence that she threw away or abandoned a dead body, nor that she was concealing another person’s death.

“This was a disturbing and tragic case,” Warren said. “I want to acknowledge the pain felt across the community. I do not condone the way the remains were handled, and I understand that her actions were distressing to many. But my duty is not to punish what feels wrong—it is to uphold the law with fairness and integrity.”

He further commended the officers and investigators involved for their professionalism and compassion. 

“The officers who responded to the scene and discovered Ms. Chandler-Scott and her fetus acted with professionalism in a very difficult situation. They were deeply affected by what they encountered, and I thank them for their commitment to this community.

“While some may feel my decision excuses Ms. Chandler-Scott’s conduct, justice must be based on law—not emotion. My hope is that this dismissal allows Ms. Chandler-Scott and the Tifton community to begin a process of recovery. As with any dismissal, it is important to note that although the investigation to my knowledge is complete, if additional information or incriminating evidence becomes available that is not already in the case file, my office may review this case again for prosecution.”

He concluded by reaffirming his office’s commitment to legal integrity and public trust. 

“As District Attorney, I will always act with honesty, legal precision, and humanity. The law must be applied evenly and ethically—even when the outcome may challenge our emotions.”

VIDEO: State Sen. Sally Harrell, D-Atlanta, takes to the Senate floor to criticize fetus personhood law that led to the arrest of a Tifton woman after disposing of a fetus following a miscarriage.

GEORGIA SENATOR CONDEMNS LAW ALLOWING ARREST OF TIFTON WOMAN FOR FETUS DISPOSAL

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A state senator told the Georgia Senate on Wednesday that the case involving a Tifton mother being charged with concealing a death and disposing of a dead body after she miscarried a fetus "demonstrates the idiocy of fetal personhood."

"Every woman of reproductive age in Georgia who miscarries beyond the six-week marker of Georgia’s law can now be criminalized for a miscarriage," said state Sen. Sally Harrell, D-Atlanta.

Tifton Police arrested Selena Maria Chandler-Scott, 24, of Tifton, on one count of concealing the death of another person and one count of throwing away or abandonment of a dead body prohibited. She was taken to Tift County Jail.

Police on March 20 recovered a fetus from a dumpster at Brookfield Mews Apartments off Tifton Eldorado Road. A witness had reported that a woman had placed the fetus in a bag and put it in an outside dumpster. Following an autopsy, authorities determined that Chandler-Scott had experienced a natural miscarriage and that the 19-week-old fetus died of natural causes.

State Senator Harrell took to the Senate floor condemning House Bill 481 passed in 2019. The law – the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act – gave unborn fetuses personhood.

"If a woman miscarries at home at eight weeks, she would typically sit on the toilet, pass mostly blood, and maybe, if she attempted to search through the blood, she might see some fetal tissue the size of a bean. She would flush the toilet at the completion of the miscarriage. Then she would simply need to rest," Harrell said.

"If she does nothing else, her freedom could be taken from her as she has now committed two felonies. She concealed the death of a person, punishable up to 10 years, and she abandoned a dead body, punishable for up to three years," the senator said.

"It is insanity, and just plain wrong," Senator Harrell said.

"The Legislature needs to refrain from assuming for themselves the wrath and judgment of God, admit they did wrong, and reverse the personhood component of the 2019 abortion ban. Selena Maria Chandler-Scott is not just one woman; she is all of us.”

TIFTON RESUMES MOSQUITO SPRAYING

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Mosquito spraying has resumed this week in the City of Tifton after having been discontinued for several years.

Previously, Tift County handled spraying for mosquitoes in Tifton but had stopped spraying within the city limits. The city then had promoted the use of mosquito dunks in standing water.

Last month, Tifton City Council decided to contract with Astro Exterminating to spray every street in Tifton each month for the next eight months. Spraying began Thursday in City Council District 1 in the northeast section of Tifton.

The mosquito spraying will be occurring during evening hours on the following schedule: Streets in Council District 1 will be sprayed during the first week of each month; District 2 during the second week; District 3, third week; and District 4 streets, fourth week.

A resident had asked council to halt any plans to spray chemicals because it may harm other insects, wildlife, and pets. A representative from Astro Exterminating had told council that the chemicals were safe and that all spraying would be done in the evening.

Michele Powers told City Council that such spraying would not only kill mosquitoes but all insects, wiping out the food source for birds. She said that exterminators say the mosquito spraying is safe for "most people and pets."

"It doesn't make sense to do this," Powers said. She suggested that residents could address mosquito issues on their property through a variety of methods, including plants that repel mosquitoes.

On social media, the City of Tifton said "mosquito truck-spraying is safe, and when professionally and correctly applied. Environmental Protection Agency-registered insecticides do not pose a risk to humans, pets, animals or the environment. It is not necessary for citizens to stay inside when spraying takes place, but they can if they prefer," the city said.

"The spray does not harm pets, but citizens can bring them inside when spraying occurs if they would like. Citizens can further reduce the mosquito population near their homes and businesses by dumping any standing water, as this is where mosquitoes breed."

The city noted that "mosquitoes can especially be a problem in humid Southern cities like Tifton."

According to the City of Tifton, "mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world, spreading diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, zika, chikungunya, and lymphatic filariasis. Every year, there are more than 700,000 deaths caused by vector-borne diseases globally. Last year in the U.S., the CDC reported 1,466 cases of West Nile virus, with 53 of those cases in Georgia alone."

TIFT SHERIFF'S OFFICE JOINS VICTIM INFO NETWORK

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Sheriff's Office has joined the nation's leading victim notification network – VINE – to aid victims of crime.

"The Tift County Sheriff's Office is proud to be a part of VINE, "Victim Information & Notification Everyday," said Sheriff Gene Scarbrough. "This is a statewide automated victim-notification system that will provide timely and accurate information to victims. This will ensure they are informed about the custody status of offenders."

VINE is a free, confidential service that delivers timely and reliable information to victims, families, and community members across the criminal justice process. VINE works directly with state and jurisdictional information sources to help deliver information.

Crime victims may access VINE at 1-866-277-7477 or online at vinelink.com

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES

RISE IN AREA COUNTIES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The unemployment rate in Tift County – and throughout most of the Tiftarea – rose during February, according to data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL).

Tift's unemployment rate was 3.3%. It was 3% the previous month.

Tift County’s labor force – the number of people who are employed or are unemployed and seeking employment – was 19,996, down from 20,189 during January according to GDOL data.

February's unemployment rates in area counties versus the previous month's rates were: Turner, 4.3% vs. 4.1%; Worth, 3.9% vs. 3.5%; Irwin, 3.5% vs. 3.1%; Cook, 3.6% vs. 3.3%; Berrien, 3.7% vs. 3.6%; and Ben Hill, 4.2% vs. 4.2%.

Georgia's February unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6%. The national unemployment rate for the month was 4.1%, according to the GDOL.

Statewide, jobs were up 7,200 over the month and up 28,500 over the year to 4,970,500, the GDOL reported. Sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included health care and social assistance, 1,700; administrative and support services, 1,300; durable goods manufacturing, 1,000; retail trade, 1,000; and private educational services, 1,000.

BLOOD DRIVE IN MEMORY OF STUDENT WHO DIED IN 2023

Tifton Grapevine Staff

The OneBlood "Big Red Bus" bloodmobile will be visiting Tifton on Saturday to accept blood donations in memory of an ABAC student who died in a traffic accident in 2023.

The bloodmobile will be set up at the Walmart Supercenter on U.S. Highway 82 West from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday for those wishing to give blood.

The blood drive is in memory of Ethan Richard James, 20, of Irwinville, (pictured at right) who died July 21, 2023, at a Tallahassee, Fla., hospital following a car accident.

The student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College received three blood transfusions – gifts from donors who gave him a fighting chance. Although James's injuries were too severe to overcome, he became a hero by saving others through organ donation.

OneBlood is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community asset providing safe, available and affordable blood to more than 250 hospital partners and their patients throughout Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. OneBlood operates more than 90 donor centers and deploys nearly 250 Big Red Bus bloodmobiles throughout the southeastern United States for blood drives. Generally, healthy individuals age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds may donate blood. 

WHILE TIFTON GANG ACTIVITY SUBSIDES, CHILD ABUSE RISES, ROTARY CLUB TOLD

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton Police Lt. Chris Luckey told the Tifton Rotary Club on Wednesday that gang activity is decreasing because of several significant arrests, but child abuse cases are rising.

“I am happy to report that we have made a huge dent in our gang activity in Tifton,” Luckey said. “We have several in custody right now awaiting trial. Unfortunately, they are awaiting trial for murder at 13 and 14 years old.

“But we have gotten them off the streets. Once we were able to do that, we have seen a decline in entering autos and thefts,” Luckey said. “The sad part is, you’re never going to stop it. When one gang member gets arrested, two more come. We have seen a reduction, but they’re still there.” 

Luckey is a specialist in narcotics cases and is a task force member for the GBI Internet Crimes Against Children. Nancy Bryan, executive director with Ruth’s Cottage and the Patticake House, said that Luckey is a local expert in child abuse cases and has shown outstanding support in domestic violence cases.

Regarding local child abuse cases, both physical and sexual, Luckey said, “We don’t know what in the world has happened in the last 18 months, but we have had a tremendous increase.”

Law enforcement officers have to deal with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), Luckey said.

“The things that we see out here are very difficult cases,” he said. “We call whoever we’ve got to,” saying he’s been on the phone many late nights with Nancy Bryan.

Luckey said he is proud of the partnerships with Ruth’s Cottage and CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates working for the best interests of children in the court system.

“The organizations that we have working together as a team has really been successful in getting these kids help,” he said. “We save a lot of kids.”

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Sunday, April 6, is Army Day, celebrating the United States Army and the men and women who protect our nation. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the American army. The Continental Army was formed in 1775 to fight the American Revolutionary War.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

• American Legacy Quilt Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton

• First Friday Concert, with Harold E. Thomas, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tifton Gardens, Downtown Tifton

• ABAC Alumni Awards Luncheon, 12:30 p.m., Gressette Gymnasium, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• Turn to Stone: A Tribute to ELO Live, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

• Gee Haw Whoa Back Rodeo, 7 p.m., ABAC Arena, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

• Tifton Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Tifton Gardens, Downtown Tifton

• Folklife Festival, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton

• American Legacy Quilt Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton

• ABAC Alumni Remembrance Service, 10:30 a.m., ABAC Chapel, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• Super Saturday, art project for 4- to 10-year-olds, 11 a.m.-noon, Carnegie Center for the Arts, Lee Street, Fitzgerald

• ABAC Fillies Softball vs. Faulkner University (doubleheader), 2 p.m. & 4 p.m., Stallion Field, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• Gee Haw Whoa Back Rodeo, 7 p.m., ABAC Arena, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• Stand Up Comedy Show, 8:30 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

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"Poncho" is a sweet boy who was surrendered to the animal shelter after his previous owner had trouble keeping him safely in his yard, but it’s clear that Poncho was just looking for love and adventure. With his fluffy coat and soulful eyes, he reminds us of a giant teddy bear come to life. Come visit Poncho and see other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Tifton Grapevine

e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.

Editor & Publisher

Bonnie Sayles

Managing Editor