Former Cecil Council Member sentenced for unlicensed personal care homes

On Aug. 19, 2024, Constance Dianna Davis, 70, of Cecil pleaded under the First Offender Act to two felony counts of operating an unlicensed personal care home, according to Superior Court records.

Chief Superior Court Judge Clayton Tomlinson sentenced Ms. Davis to a total of 10 years’ probation and ordered her to pay a $5,000 fine. Probation conditions include the “defendant shall not house, rent to, or provide care to an elder person [or] disabled adult,” under O.C.G.A. 16-5-100. Other probation conditions include 20 hours’ community service, suspended due to medical conditions, and evaluation and treatment if needed.

Ms. Davis pleaded to accusations from the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office: • Count 1 – On June 4, 2018, unlawfully operated a personal care home on Lawson Lane in Cecil, in violation of subsection (B) of Code Section 31-7-12, and in conjunction with a violation of Article 8 of Chapter 5 of Title 16, “specifically exploitation of disabled adults, elder persons, and residents,” O.C.G.A. Sec. 16-5-102. The accusation states that the accused provided “housing, food services, and personal care services including administering medications,” in violation of O.C.G.A. 31-7-12.1.

• Count 2 – Unlawfully operated a personal care home on Fellowship Road in Cook County.

In consideration of Ms. Davis’ plea to illegal operation of personal care homes, the State nolle prossed, or dropped, an indictment for felony murder and exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult, elder person, or resident. 

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) brought the case in connection with the June 2018 death of Winfred Hardrick from overheating in an abandoned car.

On Tuesday, June 5, 2018, the GBI’s Douglas Regional Office received a request by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death of Winfred Hardrick.

On Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at approximately 11:20 a.m., the Cook County Sheriff’s Office received information of an unresponsive male located at 119 Lawson Lane, Cecil. Upon the deputies’ arrival, the individual was noted to be deceased. Deputies identified the individual as Winfred Hardrick, 66. Hardrick’s body was sent to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.  

During a previous incident, on Jan. 29, 2018, Hardrick, reported missing the previous week, was located at about 4:12 a.m. in close proximity to his residence on Lawson Lane in Cecil.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office asked for the community’s help in locating Hardrick, who had walked away from his residence. The Sheriff’s Office was extremely concerned about Hardrick’s well-being since he suffered from serious medical conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and depression disorders. 

When found alive on Jan. 29, 2018, Hardrick was suffering from medical conditions associated with exposure. He was transported to South Georgia Medical Center, where he received treatment, and Sheriff’s Office investigators and agents from the GBI spoke with him there.

Court records state that the case was delayed due to the COVID Statewide Judicial Emergency.

In 2021, Ms. Davis qualified for re-election to Cecil City Council Post 2 with no opposition. Cecil officials stated last week that Ms. Davis no longer serves on the City Council.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Rue Smith prosecuted the accusations against Ms. Davis. Defense attorney Jody D. Peterman represented Ms. Davis.