Valdosta Officers Intervene in Mental Health Crisis, Rescue Infant From Knife-Wielding Mother

VALDOSTA, Georgia – Valdosta police officers responding to a welfare check Sunday night were forced to act quickly after encountering a mother in an apparent mental health crisis while holding a knife near her infant child, authorities said.

On January 25, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m., Valdosta Police officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 1500 block of East Park Avenue to assist the Lowndes County Department of Family and Children Services with a welfare check on a 39-year-old woman and her three-month-old baby. When officers knocked and identified themselves, the woman refused to open the door.

While waiting, officers observed the woman through a kitchen window with the infant secured in a baby carrier on her chest. Police said she was holding a large kitchen knife, waving it erratically and, at times, bringing it dangerously close to the baby. Officers reported that the woman struck the window with the knife and threatened officers, saying they would be hurt if they entered.

Officers surrounded the apartment and continued speaking with the woman, urging her to drop the knife. During the encounter, officers observed her moving the knife toward the infant’s head and neck, as well as toward her own neck. Police said she made incoherent statements and appeared to be in a mental health crisis.

When officers saw the woman place the knife down and walk away from it, they immediately forced entry into the apartment. Officers quickly restrained the woman and removed the infant. Police said the baby appeared unharmed.

South Georgia Medical Emergency Medical Services evaluated the infant at the scene and found no injuries. Officers detained the mother and transported her to a hospital for a mental health evaluation and treatment. The Department of Family and Children Services took custody of the infant.

“Our officers did another outstanding job during an extremely tense situation,” said Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan. “Incidents like this are extremely stressful, but when small children are involved, it adds more stress to the officers. Many of them have small children as well, but they must put their feelings and emotions aside to get the job done. They quickly developed a plan and executed it perfectly, ensuring that neither the baby nor the mother was injured.”

The case remains under investigation.