Becky Hood, former chair of the Gordon County Commission, and her husband, Scott Hood, have both pleaded not guilty to child abuse-related charges stemming from a criminal investigation that has spanned over four years. Becky Hood was indicted in mid-March by a Gordon County Grand Jury on one count of first-degree cruelty to children. Scott Hood was indicted on one count of child molestation.
Both individuals entered their pleas on Friday in Gordon County Superior Court before Judge Ralph Van Pelt, Jr. The not guilty pleas mark the beginning of the legal process to resolve the case, which began in January 2021. At that time, the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) investigate allegations of sexual and physical abuse involving Becky Hood’s adopted children.
The Calhoun Times initially reported on the investigation in February 2021. However, the probe faced significant delays. Becky Hood’s position as an elected official led to a series of recusals by agencies, including the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office and the local district attorney’s office. The case was subsequently shuffled between various courts and agencies, further compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Becky Hood, who had served on the Board of Commissioners since 2006 and last ran unopposed in 2018, announced in February 2022 that she would not seek reelection. She was the board’s chair at the time of her departure.
The case was eventually assigned to the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office in 2024. This assignment reignited the investigation, culminating in the charges against both Becky and Scott Hood in October 2024. The case is now moving forward through the court system.
From WEIS
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