(Gray News) – A Georgia mother is facing jail time after her 10-year-old son wandered less than a mile from home alone, according to multiple reports.

It all started on October 30, 2024, when 41-year-old Brittany Patters took another child to a doctor’s appointment.

he said ABC News He said he received a call from the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office that his son Soren had left the family home in Mineral Bluff and was heading into town.

Soren was found by deputies less than a mile from the family’s home.

The 41-year-old mother said that she was disturbed by Soren not telling her where he was going, but she did not think anything else about it.

Soren was taken home by deputies and apologized for the miscommunication with his mother, which Patterson thought was the end of the situation.

But officers returned hours later and the woman was arrested.

Neglect by a parent in the state can be defined as “failure to provide the child with adequate supervision necessary for the child’s well-being,” according to one guideline.

Patterson was arrested on suspicion of reckless conduct and posted a $500 bond.

Authorities urged Patterson to sign a safety plan requiring him to make sure his children were under constant supervision.

He said he would not sign the form and would fight the charges.

“This isn’t right, I didn’t do anything wrong,” Patterson said. “I will fight for this.”

A. GoFundMe It was founded to raise money for Patterson. It has raised over $48,000 so far.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to one year in prison.

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