Joseph Matthew Turner, 35, and Sarah Elizabeth Pombert, 34, have been arrested and charged with second-degree cruelty to children after allegedly forcing a 3-year-old boy to live in a shed behind their home for nearly three weeks.
According to an arrest warrant from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the couple subjected the child to severe neglect between May 1 and May 22, 2025, in Douglasville, Georgia, located about 20 miles west of Atlanta.
The Alleged Cruelty and Neglect
The arrest warrant claims that Turner and Pombert made the boy live in a “dirty living space” in the shed, which had no running water or electricity. The couple allegedly left the child unsupervised, unbathed, and unclothed, causing him “cruel/excessive mental and physical pain.” The authorities filed the charges on May 29 and arrested the couple on June 2.
Discovery of the Abuse
The investigation into the alleged abuse began after a fire destroyed the shed over Memorial Day Weekend. The neighbor, Matthew Govoni, spoke to local ABC affiliate WSB and said the fire involved “huge explosions” and completely burned down the shed.
The fire, however, did not harm the child, but it was the event that led to the discovery of the alleged mistreatment. The warrant did not provide additional details on how the investigators connected the fire to the abuse, but it was a pivotal moment in the case.
Govoni, who had been living next door for several years, expressed that he was not surprised by the allegations, saying, “With the lifestyle they live, I’m not surprised by any of that, really.” He added that he felt bad for the child involved and hoped he would be able to find a place where he could get the help he needed.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Turner and Pombert were arrested on June 2 and have been held in the Douglas County Jail. As of now, it remains unclear whether they have retained legal representation. The couple had lived at the residence on Judge Avenue for about a decade, and their neighbor indicated that their living situation and behavior were not ideal.
The Community’s Reaction
The case has left the community stunned and saddened. Neighbor Matthew Govoni expressed sympathy for the boy, emphasizing his hope that the child could eventually be placed in a safer and more nurturing environment. The incident has sparked widespread concern about the well-being of children in similar situations, highlighting the importance of community awareness and intervention in preventing child abuse.
