Zachary Taylor Worsham, 35 of Cedartown was arrested recently after police responded to a reported domestic disturbance at a residence on East Girard Avenue.

According to a Cedartown Police Department incident report, officers were dispatched to the home after Polk County 911 received a hang-up call from the address. Dispatchers reportedly heard a man yelling in the background before the call disconnected.

When officers arrived, they were directed to a residence across the street, where they met with an elderly female complainant who appeared frightened and upset. The woman told police that her son had accused her of allowing his dogs to escape from a fenced area. She said she attempted to explain that the animals were getting out through a hole in the fence.

The complainant told officers that her son had been drinking and had spent several hours yelling at her. During the confrontation, she alleged that she attempted to retreat to a bathroom, but her son followed and slammed the door on her hand, causing a cut to one of her fingers. Officers noted seeing a bandaged finger with fresh blood visible through the dressing.

She also alleged that her son headbutted her during the altercation. The woman told police she was in the process of evicting her son from the residence and feared he would return.

According to the report, Worsham stated that he believed someone was intentionally letting his dogs out of the fenced area and described feeling as though he was being “gaslit.” He acknowledged accidentally shutting the bathroom door on his mother’s hand while attempting to keep a puppy from entering the room.

The responding officer reported observing signs of alcohol consumption, including the odor of alcohol and swaying while standing. Worsham admitted he had been drinking, according to the report.

Following the investigation, officers placed Worsham under arrest and transported him to the Polk County Jail. While being transported, he reportedly continued discussing concerns about someone letting his dogs out and told the officer he had “just went off.”

Worsham is charged with battery and elder abuse.