Crawford County man receives prison sentence after pleading guilty to child abuse charges

A Crawford County man pleaded guilty to several child abuse charges and was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 to be served in prison.

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Crawford County man pleaded guilty Monday to several child abuse charges and was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 to be served in prison.

According to a news release from the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, 42-year-old James Franklin Davis pleaded guilty to cruelty to children in the first degree, two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree and interference with government property for crimes in Peach and Crawford counties.

According to evidence presented in court, in January 2020, Davis began an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl, assaulting the victim and causing significant, visible injuries, including bruising and swelling. The district attorney’s office says Davis exercised “significant control” over her, grooming her through the years to comply with his demands.

In July 2023, Davis physically assaulted the victim in front of two children in Crawford County. Davis was arrested and refused to comply with orders, damaging jail property in the process.

“The victim in this case was a child when the abuse began,” Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard said. “It’s very common for abusers to target vulnerable victims like this child and lure them in with attention, kindness and gifts, only to abuse them as the relationship continues. As Domestic Violence Month comes to an end this week, I want to congratulate this young woman for her courage to cooperate with prosecutors and to help us seek a measure of justice for her and her family. She was initially a reluctant victim, but through education and support from her family and our Office, she is alive today to share her shocking story and to help others who are in similar situations.”

The district attorney’s office thanked the Byron Police Department and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution.

“If you or anyone you know is in an abusive relationship, please take steps to find help,” the release said. “There are resources available.”