A South Georgia fire chief has been officially fired from his job as he faces multiple allegations of child abuse.
The investigation began when a juvenile called 911 on Monday, January 26 and reported Dale Lehman Barnardwho previously served as chief of the Glennville Fire Department, of entering his home and disturbing him. The exact details of the allegations have not been made public.
After receiving the report, the Glennville Police Department and the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate the allegations. The GBI found enough evidence at Barnard’s home to arrest him on Tuesday, January 27th. The nature of the evidence discovered that led to his arrest was unclear at the time of publication.
Barnard, 66, was later charged with two counts of child abuse, one count of aggravated child abuse and one count of criminal trespass, according to police records seen by Us Weekly on Saturday January 31. He is being held without bail.
according to law of the state of Georgiachild abuse is a crime that is defined when any person commits any “immoral or indecent act or in the presence of a child under 16 with the intention of arousing or satisfying” sexual desires, or “through an electronic device, transmits images of a person involved, inducing or otherwise participating in any immoral or indecent act with the sexual intent of a minor or with the sexual intent of satisfying”16. wishes
Aggravated child abuse occurs when the crime “physically injures the child or involves an act of sodomy.” Penalties for aggravated child abuse include up to 25 years behind bars and lifetime probation, depending on the age of the victim.
His charge of criminal trespass is a misdemeanor.
Days after Barnard’s arrest, the Glennville City Council met Thursday, Jan. 29, to discuss the case before later voting to fire the former chief from his position at the fire department, effective immediately. The dismissal was later confirmed by the city manager, according to reports CBS News.
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While the news made local headlines, Glennville resident Brendon Ward he said finding out about Barnard’s arrest was a “very big shock” to him.
“He was my bus driver when I was in elementary school. I met his grandkids, I met his kids,” Ward was quoted as saying. Wjcl 22. “I always thought he was a good guy.”
Another resident, Lanice Armstrongsuggested that the city needs to “do more research” on who they “hire” to do work.
The case is currently still under investigation. He is expected to be turned over to the Atlantic District Attorney’s Office for arraignment in the near future.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Helpline for children at 1-800-422-4453.
Parents, teachers and guardians interested in learning more about how to protect children from exploitation can find helpful tools and information at Know2Protect.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact them National sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).