Two arrested in neglect to disabled adults case

Craig Theron Davis, 49, 26 Lawson Lane, Cecil, was arrested April 17, 2025, and charged with aggravated stalking, exploitation of an elder or disabled person, and neglect to a disabled adult or elder person (two counts), according to Cook County Sheriff’s Office Investigations.

Davis’s mother Constance Dianna Davis, 71, of the same address, was arrested April 17, 2025, for probation violation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

According to warrants taken by the Sheriff’s Office, during offense times between Feb. 15, 2025, and April 17, 2025, at a Fellowship Road, Hahira, address, Craig Davis exploited money and benefits from a disabled man “through undue influence and coercion.” A letter from the Social Security Administration states that Craig Davis is the payee for the victim’s benefits, according to the warrants.

According to the warrants, during offense times between April 14 and 17, 2025, at the Lawson Lane address, Craig Davis committed neglect against two disabled men while serving as their caregiver. “The accused did willfully deprive a disabled adult, a person, of health care, shelter, or necessary sustenance to the extent that the health and well-being of such person was jeopardized,” each warrant for neglect states.

Warrants gave the following account:

“Law enforcement was at 26 Lawson Lane on April 14, 2025, to attempt to locate a missing person.

“It was discovered that four adult males reside at the residence.

“The adults admit to Constance and Craig [Davis] as being their caretakers. [Two of the men] disclosed Craig Davis and Constance Davis have full control of their money and food stamps.

“They stated they eat two meals a week.”

The warrants add that with permission, a Sheriff’s Office investigator looked in the kitchen and discovered one empty freezer and one freezer with two loaves of bread:

“The refrigerator had bugs and roaches inside, and no food. The pantry was bare.”

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office returned to the house on April 14 with cleaning supplies, food, and drinks. “[One of the victims] stated his food stamps come on the 19th, and [the other victim] stated his food stamps come on the 17th,” according to a warrant.

Law enforcement returned to the Lawson Lane residence on April 17 after conducting a search warrant at 739 Fellowship Road. “The [Lawson Lane] residence did not have any food or drinks in the house,” a warrant states. “[The victims] stated after law enforcement left their house on April 14, Craig Davis came into the home and removed all the supplies and food that were provided to them.”

Craig Davis and Constance Davis had not provided the victims with the necessities to maintain their health and well-being, the warrants allege.

According to the aggravated stalking warrant, during offense times between April 12 and April 13, 2025, at a Fellowship Road address, Craig Davis violated a Temporary Restraining Order. A woman was contacted at that address, a private property occupied by Craig Davis and Constance Davis, without the victim’s consent, “for the purpose of harassment and intimidation,” the warrant states.

The warrant further explains that an Emergency Order Prohibiting Contact was issued by the Probate Court of Cook County on Oct. 15, 2024, stating that Craig Davis could not have contact with the female victim.

On April 10, 2025, the woman was reported missing from Albany, Ga., the warrant states. On April 12, 2025, the victim was at a Fellowship Road residence shared by Craig Davis and Constance Davis, according to the warrant.

On April 18, Cook County Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen Chammoun denied bond (pretrial release from jail) for Craig Davis. According to the judge’s order, “the accused poses a significant risk of fleeing from the jurisdiction of the court or failing to appear in court when required,” “the accused poses a significant risk of intimidating witnesses or otherwise obstructing the administration of justice,” and “the accused has been charged with crimes under O.C.G.A. 17-6-1, of which this court does not have the authority to set bond.”

According to court records, Craig Davis has completed school through the 12th grade and some college, has resided two years at his current home address, and is self-employed as an insurance agent. He declined a court-appointed defense attorney.

Craig Davis is being represented by William J. Godfrey, a defense attorney from Albany. The defense filed a “Motion for Reasonable Bond” in Superior Court, with a hearing to be held at 8:30 a.m. April 30.

According to the motion, Davis was seeking bond pursuant to the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Article I of the Georgia Constitution, and O.C.G.A. According to the motion, the defendant will reside in Tifton and has “not failed to appear for any prior offenses, nor been charged with escape.” The defendant is not a flight risk, and will not re-offend or intimidate witnesses, the motion adds.

The defense’s motions further state that Davis “has never been arrested or convicted of harming anyone,” and he has no record of any felony arrest or conviction.

On April 30, Chief Superior Court Judge Clayton Tomlinson set bond for Davis at $50,000 (cash or property), after the State and defense reached an agreement. Bond conditions include: No contact with the alleged victims; barred from Cook County, except for court appearances and meeting with his attorney; and shall submit to an ankle monitor, with the defendant paying all associated costs.

Davis bonded out the same date.

Ms. Davis, a former Cecil City Council Member, was arrested for probation violation because she allegedly violated the terms of her sentence last year for operating unlicensed personal care homes, according to Superior Court records.

On Aug. 19, 2024, Ms. Davis pleaded under the First Offender Act to two felony counts of operating an unlicensed personal care home.

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 included 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 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. However, Ms. Davis no longer serves on the City Council.

The District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the current case against Craig Davis and Constance Davis.