Boy missing for 4 years found in Clayton County, reunited with mom

[h1]  Parents of boy hidden behind wall in court Thursday[/h1]
Jennifer Leslie and Beth Sawicki, WXIA12:37 p.m. EST December 18, 2014

(Photo: WXIA)

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- The couple charged with kidnapping a young boy four years ago received harsh words from a Clayton County judge Thursday morning.

Chief Magistrate Judge Wanda Dallas scolded Samantha Joy Davis and Gregory Jean for their treatment of Jean's now-13-year-old son, Gregory Jean Jr.

"It is ludicrous and offensive to call this discipline," Dallas said in court. "What I see is the systematic abuse of a little boy."

Davis and Jean, who are not married, are accused of taking the teen from his biological mother. About six months ago, they moved into the Jonesboro house where the boy was finally found. Police officers recovered Gregory Jean Jr. from behind a false wall.

The defendants were originally charged with child cruelty and false imprisonment. Thursday, Dallas added obstruction charges for both, and an aggravated assault charge for Davis. The judge then sent the case to a grand jury.

Gregory Jean Jr. has since been reunited with his mother and is living with her in Florida.

He was discovered after mustering the courage to contact his mother and siblings through the magicJack app on a cell phone his father gave him. The boy's mother called Clayton County police and let them know about the hidden compartment inside a linen closet.

Clayton County Police Officer Daniel Day told the court about the moment he and other investigators found the hidden room and saw the boy inside.

"He was extremely scared, fearful," Day said. "It took him a while to figure out what was happening. He was trembling and wide-eyed."

The defendants' attorneys argued that Gregory Jean Jr. was hiding from the police behind the false wall.

A boy who was reported missing about four years ago was found in a Clayton County home Friday night.  11Alive

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Davis already had a criminal record. In 2006, she was sentenced to 10 years' probation and anger management classes after being found guilty of abusing one of her own children. Prosecutors said she tried to teach her son a lesson about talking back by heating a pair of scissors on the stove, burning the child with them and then cutting off a piece of his tongue.

During their first court appearance, Davis and Jean asked for a continuance, saying they wanted to hire a private attorney, but needed time to raise money.

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