Authorities say the child’s biological mother lacked legal custody when the 13-year-old was removed from a Baxley home.
BAXLEY, Ga. — Two people face criminal charges after authorities said they broke into a Baxley home, took a 13-year-old girl and transported her to a Florida motel before officers found her unharmed later that day.
The allegations center on a July 16 confrontation at a residence on James Drive and the multistate search that followed. Police identified the suspects as Giovannie Carter, 32, the girl’s biological mother, and Jonathon Kelly, 42. Authorities said Carter did not have legal rights to the child when the girl was taken.
Baxley police responded after receiving a 911 call reporting that Carter was banging on the home’s front door while holding a knife. Investigators allege that Carter and Kelly forced their way into the house and took the teenager despite efforts to prevent them from leaving with her.
Police treated the situation as an urgent child-abduction case because investigators believed the girl was in immediate danger and was being moved across state lines. The FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation joined the search, along with the Appling County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement personnel.
Investigators traced the suspects more than 130 miles to Jacksonville, Florida. Authorities said federal agents and Jacksonville deputies located their vehicle at about 5:30 p.m. at the Scottish Inn on Philips Highway. A SWAT operation followed several hours later.
Officers entered the motel room at about 9:35 p.m. and found the teenager unharmed. Officials have not released the girl’s identity or detailed information about her condition, citing her age and privacy. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said she is receiving resources and support after the incident.
Authorities said Kelly ran from the motel room when officers arrived and attempted to leave in a vehicle. Investigators said he nearly struck a sheriff’s SWAT vehicle before crashing into the motel. He then tried to run from officers but was captured. The encounter outside the room was recorded by officers’ body cameras.
The sheriff’s office released video of the attempted escape but withheld footage recorded inside the room where the girl was found. Officials said legal and privacy concerns prevented the release of images showing the child or the circumstances of her recovery.
Carter faces allegations that include kidnapping, home invasion and aggravated assault. Kelly faces kidnapping and home-invasion allegations, a probation violation and additional counts connected to events in Jacksonville. Authorities have not published a complete list of every charge or clarified which counts will be prosecuted in Georgia and which will proceed in Florida.
The charges remain allegations, and neither Carter nor Kelly has been convicted in connection with the case. Information about their attorneys, initial court appearances and possible pleas was not immediately available in the reports reviewed.
Officials also have not disclosed why Carter lacked legal rights to the teenager or provided an extradition schedule for the defendants. Those questions could become part of court proceedings as prosecutors in the two states determine how the cases will move forward.
The FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation continue to lead the investigation. Baxley police credited the participating agencies with helping locate the teenager and return her safely.
Author note: Last updated July 29, 2026.