A Georgia couple is facing serious charges after allegedly keeping their 3-year-old child confined in a backyard shed for weeks, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. The child, identified as Bjorn Turner, was reportedly left alone in the shed from May 1 to May 22, 2025, in Douglasville, Georgia, in what officials described as a deplorable and inhumane environment. Sarah Elizabeth Pombert, 34, and Joseph Matthew Turner, 35, were arrested on June 2, 2025, after an arrest warrant was issued for second-degree child cruelty.
The arrest warrant, obtained by ABC News, detailed shocking conditions for the toddler, describing the shed as a “dirty living space” without running water or electricity. Authorities revealed that Bjorn Turner was left unsupervised, unbathed, and unclothed during this period of confinement. The couple’s alleged actions are being described as criminal negligence, with the child left to endure these harsh conditions without the care or supervision needed for a child of his age.
This disturbing case has shocked the local community and raised questions about how such conditions could have gone unnoticed for weeks. According to court records, neither Pombert nor Turner had retained legal representation as of Friday, June 6, 2025, and both are currently being held at the Douglas County Jail on charges of second-degree child cruelty.
The allegations surrounding Pombert and Turner have sent ripples through the Douglasville neighborhood, where they had lived for over a decade. One neighbor, Matthew Govoni, spoke with Atlanta’s ABC affiliate WSB, sharing his shock and sorrow at the details of the case. Govoni revealed that the shed, where the child was reportedly kept, burned down over Memorial Day weekend. However, the specifics of how authorities learned of the child’s dire situation have not been disclosed. The Douglas County Fire Department has yet to respond to media inquiries regarding the fire.
Govoni, who had known the couple for many years, expressed disbelief at the news, saying he was “not surprised” to hear about the living conditions. According to him, Pombert and Turner’s lifestyle had long been a cause for concern. “I’m saddened for them and the child, but I mean, for the child, I hope they can get to a place where they can be helped,” Govoni added.
While the full scope of what led to the alleged neglect and abuse of the child is still under investigation, the details that have emerged so far paint a horrifying picture of a child’s life in confinement. The arrest of Pombert and Turner is just one chapter in what is expected to be a long legal process as authorities work to determine how the couple managed to keep Bjorn in such conditions for so long without anyone intervening.
The living conditions described in the arrest warrant raise significant concerns about how such a scenario could have remained hidden for weeks. The shed where the child was reportedly kept lacked basic amenities such as running water or electricity, which are essential for the care and well-being of any child. The fact that Bjorn was allegedly left unclothed, unsupervised, and unbathed only adds to the severity of the charges against the couple.
Neighbors and the local community are now left to grapple with the horror of what occurred in their midst. The absence of legal representation for the couple at this stage further complicates the case, leaving many to wonder whether they will be able to mount a defense to the serious charges they are facing. Given the nature of the alleged offense, the legal process will likely unfold with intense scrutiny as both the prosecution and defense prepare for what promises to be a high-profile case.
In the meantime, law enforcement and child protective services are focused on ensuring that Bjorn Turner is given the care and support he needs following his release from the shed. It remains unclear how the child is doing, but the circumstances surrounding his confinement have already sparked a public outcry. Many are now calling for greater accountability and a deeper investigation into how the couple managed to keep their child in such conditions for an extended period of time without intervention.
The case also underscores the importance of vigilant community awareness and intervention in preventing child abuse and neglect. As the investigation into the Turners’ actions continues, many are questioning whether warning signs were missed and why no one stepped in to stop the alleged mistreatment sooner. Reports of the shed burning down and the neighbors’ shock at the living conditions only highlight the need for more proactive community oversight, particularly when it comes to vulnerable children.
Pombert and Turner are facing not only the legal consequences of their alleged actions but also the long-term impact of their behavior on their family and their community. As the case moves forward, many will be watching closely to see how the justice system handles the charges of child cruelty and neglect, and whether this tragic incident will lead to stronger protections for children at risk of abuse.
In the wake of the arrest, local authorities are likely to pursue a thorough investigation into the events leading up to the child’s confinement. They will work to uncover whether other children or individuals in the household were subjected to similar mistreatment. The investigation will also focus on the broader question of how such a dangerous and abusive situation was allowed to persist without intervention from local services or concerned neighbors.
As for the Turners, their future now rests in the hands of the legal system. The charges they face are serious, and if convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences. However, it is also possible that the case could reveal broader issues regarding the couple’s mental health or other factors that might have contributed to the decision to isolate and neglect their child. Whatever the outcome, this case is sure to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of child protection and the need for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
While the legal process unfolds, the community remains deeply affected by the events surrounding Bjorn Turner’s tragic ordeal. The hope is that, with time, the young child will find safety and care, and that justice will be served for the disturbing and heartbreaking actions that have left a lasting impact on all those involved. As for the Turners, their lives have been forever changed by the charges now pending against them. And the question remains—how did such a tragic situation unfold, and what can be done to ensure that children are never subjected to such neglect again?
The post Georgia Couple Arrested After Allegedly Keeping 3-Year-Old Locked in Backyard Shed for Weeks first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
