A 21-year-old Wisconsin woman is facing additional charges after authorities say she attacked her mother during a confrontation at a Chick-fil-A parking lot in Georgia. The alleged stabbing occurred while the woman and her mother were traveling with two young children.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Shyanniah Ma’Ree Johnson allegedly stabbed her 39-year-old mother at least 10 times during the Aug. 20 incident. The children were reportedly present but were not physically injured.
Dispute Escalated After Family Stopped in Georgia
Authorities said Johnson and her mother were traveling along Interstate 75 toward Wisconsin when an argument began inside their vehicle.
The vehicle eventually exited the interstate and stopped at a Chick-fil-A parking lot on Highway 92 near I-75. Investigators say the confrontation continued inside the vehicle before Johnson allegedly attacked her mother with a knife.
The mother managed to escape the vehicle and ran into the restaurant seeking assistance. An Acworth police officer helped her until emergency medical personnel arrived. She was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and has since been released.
Johnson also suffered an injury to her leg during the incident.
Woman Allegedly Left Scene With Two Children
After the reported attack, authorities say Johnson drove north on Interstate 75 with the two children in the vehicle.
Investigators used automated license plate recognition technology to identify and locate the vehicle in Whitfield County. Local authorities then stopped the vehicle and took Johnson into custody.
The two children were not injured. They were subsequently placed in the care of Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services in Whitfield County while authorities investigate their custodial situation.
Johnson Faces Aggravated Assault and Child Cruelty Charges
Johnson was taken to a hospital following her arrest for treatment of her leg injury. After being released from medical care Friday afternoon, she was booked into the Cherokee County jail.
She is now accused of aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act as well as two counts of child cruelty. Authorities said she had not yet been arraigned, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Officials are also continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the children and their custodial guardianship. Additional developments or charges could follow as investigators review the case.
