Tennessee Man Gets 50 Years in Georgia for Heinous Child Abuse, Domestic Violence
Stefon Smith, 43, of Hamilton County, Tennessee, was convicted on March 18, 2025, by a Catoosa County jury on multiple charges related to child cruelty and domestic violence. Following a two-day trial, Smith was found guilty of two counts of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, one count of Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree, two counts of Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree, False Imprisonment, and Family Violence Battery.
The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into Smith on May 11, 2023, following a report of domestic violence that occurred the previous evening. Evidence presented at trial showed that Smith resided with the mother of his 9-month-old daughter, along with her 3-year-old son and 5-year-old son from a previous relationship. On the evening of May 10, 2023, Smith became enraged over the way dinner was prepared, yelling at the family and breaking a glass. The mother retreated with her children to a locked bedroom and asked Smith to leave. Smith forcibly entered the room, grabbed the 5-year-old boy by the collar and threw him. He then assaulted the children’s mother by striking her and pulling her hair. While she was holding the 9-month-old baby, Smith forcibly pushed her down on top of the infant and held her there. Smith then prevented the mother and children from leaving the room and held a firearm to his own head, demanding she shoot him. Smith left the residence the following day.
The mother reported the abuse to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office and took the children to T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital for examination. During the examination of the 9-month-old daughter, it was discovered that the baby tested positive for cocaine. Interviewed by Catoosa County Investigator Clay Thompson, Smith admitted to cocaine use and exposing the child to the drug.
Immediately after the guilty verdict was returned, Superior Court Judge Chris Arnt sentenced Smith to fifty years in prison, with the first thirty years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman represented the State of Georgia. The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Clay Thompson diligently investigated the case, and Victim Advocate Shelby Armstrong provided support to the victims.
District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller commended the work of his trial team and law enforcement, stating, “The trial team and the jury did what needed to be done: they stood up for that family and for justice. I want to thank the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Investigator Clay Thompson, and Judge Chris Arnt for making sure this violent abuser didn’t walk away with a slap on the wrist. In Tennessee, he might’ve gotten a talking to and probation. In Georgia, he got 50 years. If you’re thinking about bringing your violent crimes across the border-don’t. In Northwest Georgia, we don’t play.”
