A Georgia mom claims police arrested her for endangering her 10-year-old son, but she did nothing wrong. While Brittany Patterson took another child to the doctor, her son, Soren, left the family’s rural Mineral Bluff home without telling anyone. Patterson, 41, didn’t know Soren took off until the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office called to tell her the boy had walked into town alone. The next thing she knew, she was in handcuffs.
The mom of four has shared her story with multiple news outlets, including NBC News. She wants people to know she’s fighting back against an unjust system.
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Soren reportedly took a short walk to Dollar General.
Patterson told NBC News that Soren, now 11, went into town on October 30, while she was with her other son at a doctor’s appointment. She received a call from the sheriff telling her what Soren did. After deputies brought Soren home, the mom didn’t think much of his less than one-mile trip.
“It’s not a super dangerous or even dangerous-at-all stretch of road,” Patterson told NBC News. “I wasn’t terrified for him or scared for his safety.”
Deputies arrived at the family's home several hours later.
NBC News shared police video surveillance of a Fannin County deputy arresting Patterson on a charge of “reckless conduct.” The mom of four appeared stunned as deputies put cuffs around her wrists.
“It was anger and frustration, of course, because my children were having to witness that all,” she told the news outlet. “They asked me to put my hands behind my back and all that stuff, and I realized what was going on.”
She later posted a $500 bail to get out of jail, but the story’s not over. The mother faces up to a year in jail if she’s convicted.
Patterson won't back down.
The sheriff’s office reportedly offered to drop the charge if Patterson signed “a safety plan” ensuring her children would always be properly supervised. She told NBC News she had no intention of signing anything and plans to fight the charge. “This is not right. I did nothing wrong,” Patterson declared. “I’m going to fight for that.”
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Supporters have created a GoFundMe account to help Patterson.
The National Association of Parents Inc. plans to help Patterson fight the charge by raising funds for her defense. The organization has raised nearly $43,000 thus far with the GoFundMe page. Many shared their support for Patterson in the comments.
“This is ridiculous. The sheriff and CPS were completely in the wrong,” one person wrote. “The State has no business overseeing parents and how they raise their children – unless the child is being threaten or hurt somehow. This was abuse of authority; don’t let them get away with it…”
This person agreed and commented, “My heart breaks every time I hear of another mom who had to go through this. The justice system just doesn’t understand the trauma it causes a family. I’m so glad you have Parents USA to fight for you. To Brittany – Please reach out, I’d love to chat … I’ve been exactly where you are.”
