‘Squalor and filth,’ alleged physical abuse gets mom arrested
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A Grovetown mom was arrested Thursday for allegedly hitting her young son in the eye and telling him not to talk about it, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Rachel Rhinesmith is charged with three counts of cruelty to children in the second degree and one count in the first degree.
According to the incident report, deputies responded to her 7-year-old’s school for a possible case of child abuse.
The arrest warrant states the incident allegedly happened on Tuesday on the 700 block of Baker Place Road.
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The warrant states Rhinesmith allowed her three juvenile sons to live in “squalor and filth, such as rotten food, molded food, garbage, insects, soiled lines, dirty dishes and general unsanitary conditions.”
Rhinehart is also accused of repeatedly striking one of her sons with the back of her hand on his left eye, causing “visible bruising,” according to the affidavit.
“The bruising and contusions were consistent with a ring worn by Rachel and appeared to cause the injuries,” the warrant states.
School officials asked the son about his injuries, and he responded, “I’m supposed to say I fell out of the chair and the chair fell on me. Technically that happened, but my mom had something to do with it, and I’m not supposed to talk about it,” according to the incident report.
Investigators and a social worker from the Department of Family and Children’s Services responded to the school and the investigation was turned over.
Rhinehart was released from the Columbia County Detention Center on a $39,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office.
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