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The Complicated Case of Sophia Kitchens: Taser Threats, False Claims, and a Gunshot

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As Richmond County authorities continue to defend jailing a woman who was shot in the face, new details are emerging about the alleged violence and lies that put her behind bars.

Sophia Kitchens, 53, was taken to jail Thursday night after she was released from the hospital, RCSO Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard said. Her charges are terroristic threats & acts – family violence as well as false statement in a government matter.

Kitchens is accused of threatening to taser Tangelos Brinkley on April 13. She allegedly made the threats over the phone while headed to his home. She activated the taser while moving toward him, but he disarmed her, authorities said.

The Augusta grandmother allegedly lied to cops about her threat of violence against Brinkley. Instead, she accused Brinkley of assaulting her with a firearm, even though she never saw a weapon and fought Brinkley over the taser. Authorities say it was someone else who shot her, possibly a family member. (Story continues below)

“Ms. Kitchens was transported to Augusta University Medical Center following the incident and received medical treatment under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals,” Chief Blanchard said. “After being medically evaluated and deemed dischargeable by hospital staff, she was released from hospital care.

He continued, “At that point, Augusta University Police Officers executed two outstanding Richmond County warrants for her arrest one of which was a ‘no bond’ felony from a family violence incident.”

Chief Blanchard said she was cleared for intake and receives ongoing care with advice from licensed doctors and medical staff. He said the nature of Kitchen’s charges has led to her being held without bond, as required by the court.

“Only a judge can modify her bond status or conditions of release. We are working closely with judicial officials as we do with many inmates, especially those with medical conditions,” he said.

“This was a domestic-related incident involving multiple individuals, and Ms. Kitchens was not merely a victim in this case,” the chief said. “We remain committed to treating all individuals with dignity and respect while ensuring the safety of the public, our staff, and those in our custody.”

Meanwhile, the family continues to express outrage about her being locked up despite her medical condition and facial wound. On a GoFundMe page, Callie Lyons said the hospital and sheriff’s office treatment of Kitchens was “sickening.”

“She is suffering an open wound on her face with a bullet stuck in her nose,” Lyons wrote. “She also has a brain clot, as well as missing teeth, blurred vision, and she is not able to eat or feed herself. … She has a hole in her face and a blood clot in her brain and they just sent her to jail like this.”

Lyons is seeking the community’s help with lawyer fees and hospital bills.

“We want justice for our mother, sister, daughter, grandmother. Sophia does not deserve this negligence or injustice,” the GoFundMe page says. “She has family that is praying non-stop and fighting as hard as we can to get her where she needs to be.”

Chief Blanchard’s complete statement:

“The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is aware of social media posts regarding the arrest and detention of Sophia Evette Kitchens following a recent incident in which she sustained a gunshot injury to the face. The arrest occurred after she was released from the hospital.

We recognize the concern shared by many and understand the seriousness of this matter. Out of respect for the individuals involved, and due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we will not be releasing further details about the case itself. However, we do wish to provide clarity on key facts that have unfortunately been misrepresented online.

Ms. Kitchens was transported to Augusta University Medical Center following the incident and received medical treatment under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals. After being medically evaluated and deemed dischargeable by hospital staff, she was released from hospital care.

At that point, Augusta University Police Officers executed two outstanding Richmond County warrants for her arrest one of which was a “no bond” felony from a family violence incident. As with any individual in custody, Ms. Kitchens was again evaluated by medical personnel prior to entry into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and was cleared for intake. Medical care continues to be provided while she is in custody, and she will be transported for further treatment if medically necessary.

We understand the public’s concern when someone who has been injured is taken into custody. However, law enforcement agencies do not make medical decisions. We rely entirely on licensed doctors and medical staff to determine when an individual is stable enough to be released or transported.

It is also important to note that Ms. Kitchens is currently being held without bond due to the nature of her charges, as determined by the court system—not the Sheriff’s Office. Only a judge can modify her bond status or conditions of release. We are working closely with judicial officials as we do with many inmates, especially those with medical conditions.

While we cannot speak further on the criminal investigation at this time, we can confirm this was a domestic-related incident involving multiple individuals, and Ms. Kitchens was not merely a victim in this case.

We remain committed to treating all individuals with dignity and respect while ensuring the safety of the public, our staff, and those in our custody.”

Callie Lyons’ complete statement on GoFundMe:

“I’m not too sure if everyone has seen how the hospital and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has treated my mother-in-law, but it’s quite sickening.

Sophia Kitchens, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, was shot in her face April 13th. She is suffering an open wound on her face with a bullet stuck in her nose. She also has a brain clot, as well as missing teeth, blurred vision, and she is not able to eat or feed herself. She was only in the hospital for 3 days before they sent her off to Charles B. Webster Detention Center. Still in her wheelchair, still unable to stand or walk. She has a hole in her face and a blood clot in her brain and they just sent her to jail like this. The hospital would not give us any contact up until the day before she was discharged. They never asked for emergency contacts and wouldn’t give us any updates when we called. They were also discussing the surgeries Sophia needed a day before she was sent in this condition to jail.

We are please asking everyone to help as much as possible with lawyer fees and hospital bills. We want justice for our mother, sister, daughter, grandmother. Sophia does not deserve this negligence or injustice. She has family that is praying non-stop and fighting as hard as we can to get her where she needs to be.”

The post The Complicated Case of Sophia Kitchens: Taser Threats, False Claims, and a Gunshot appeared first on AugustaCrime.com.


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