A Cedartown resident is facing multiple charges after police said he assaulted staff members and damaged property during an incident at a local youth facility. According to the Cedartown Police Department, officers were dispatched to Murphy-Harpst, t, in reference to Jesus Adolfo Palencia, 17.
When officers arrived, staff members had Palencia under control inside a cottage and had calmed him down. During the investigation, officers learned that Palencia allegedly assaulted multiple staff members and damaged Murphy-Harpst property.
Police spoke with staff member, who said the incident began when Palencia wanted a phone number that a staff member was attempting to obtain for him. According to reports, Palencia became angry because he believed he was not receiving the number quickly enough.
Palencia then allegedly began throwing items from his desk, striking him in the face, before allegedly taking the victim’s radio. Police said Palencia then kicked open a door and left the area.
The report states that Palencia continued to act unruly and later encountered another staff member.
That staff member told officers he attempted to calm Palencia down when the teen allegedly pushed open a door and shoved him. It was also reported that Palencia grabbed his personal keys and ran around the campus, threatening to throw the keys into a swimming pool and steal the second victim’s vehicle.
Palencia allegedly kicked the door to the point that it could no longer be opened.
Palencia was subsequently arrested and charged with simple assault, theft by taking and second-degree criminal damage to property.
