07/30/2025
Mother Wanted After Special Needs Child Found Abandoned in LaGrange Home
LaGrange, GA — The LaGrange Police Department is actively searching for Kathleen Swanton after a disturbing discovery was made at a home on Sunset Street.
On Monday, July 28, 2025, around 5:40 PM, officers responded to a welfare check at 117 Sunset Street following concerns about the safety of a child. Upon arrival, authorities found a special needs child allegedly confined to a bedroom and left alone inside the residence. The child was located by other family members.
Investigators believe Swanton left the home three days earlier, on July 25, taking two of her children with her and leaving the special needs child behind. Her current whereabouts are unknown.
The case has been turned over to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Based on initial findings, arrest warrants have been issued for Swanton on the following charges:
• Cruelty to Children in the First Degree (Family Violence Act)
• Abandonment
• Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
• Three counts of False Imprisonment (Family Violence Act)
Authorities are asking anyone with information on Swanton’s location to call 911 immediately. Tips related to the investigation can also be directed to Detective Hackett at 706-883-2697. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the Tip411 system by using the mobile app, visiting the online portal, or texting the keyword LAGRANGE to 847411.
