Teen who set Walmart woods on fire and pepper sprayed baby released from custody

Chief Dray Swicord calls the situation "really frustrating."

A 14-year-old boy, who last week was taken into custody after pepper spraying two people in the face at Walmart, including an 8-month-old child, was released from a area RYDC facility after only a few days, according to Swicord.

Earlier this year, meanwhile, the same juvenile was taken into custody after setting fire to a section of woods behind Walmart, Swicord added.

"(The juvenile) was given an ankle monitor and sent home. We have to start holding people accountable. Obviously, the (Department of Juvenile Justice) system has been reformed, and we're beginning to see the results," he said. 

Following the incident, the baby's mother took to the Milledgeville Roadblock Warnings Facebook group, now 27,000 members strong.

"People please be watchful, careful and reactive as needed," she wrote. "Last night in the Milledgeville Walmart. I was shopping with my youngest two children. Upon grabbing the last item -a case of diapers to proceed to checkout a young African American male was nearby in an aisle that was adjacent to me. As soon as I placed the item under the buggy and pass the juvenile we make eye contact and I walked on. Seconds and steps later my baby boy screams frantically with difficulty. I rush to see what’s the matter while observing specks of some sort of product on him/ his face. Later on identified to be mace-pepper spray.

"I asked an associate to get me someone to run the cameras back while calling 911. By this time my infant was foaming at the mouth with difficulty breathing and was unable to open his eyes. At this time I pleaded the Blood of Jesus Christ over him while calling out to God. Almost immediately he calmed down some. Thank You Jesus, Thank You God!!! 

"(Milledgeville PD Major Linc Boyer) you went above and beyond in keeping your word and keeping me posted, thank You. The Milledgeville Police Department, Fire Department, and Grady EMS BALDWIN, responded very quickly and were of GREAT Assistance in this matter. Walmart staff was also helpful at this time. I am forever grateful from the bottom of my heart."

CLICK HERE to meet the Williams "family"