Pierce man’s arrest in June began wider probe by WCSO, GBI, others
Five people have been arrested in a child sexual abuse investigation spanning several South Georgia counties and involving multiple victims, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Ware County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the case began in early June, when the Ware County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joel Christopher Heath, 42, of Blackshear, on child molestation allegations.
Investigators said that inquiry uncovered evidence of additional victims age 13 and younger in several counties.
As the investigation expanded, the GBI joined the Ware County Sheriff’s Office in leading the case. The Clinch County Sheriff’s Office and the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office also asked the GBI to assist with alleged crimes in their jurisdictions.
In addition to Heath, others arrested and charged were: Betty Sue Corbitt, 60, of Waycross; Theresa Bryant, 55, of Alma; Elizabeth Delk, 48, of Homerville; and Amber Lynn Hult, 45, of West Columbia, S.C.
Heath, Delk and Corbitt were booked into the Ware County Jail. Bryant was booked into the Bacon County Jail. Hult was booked into the Lexington County (S.C.) Detention Center where she awaits extradition to Georgia.
Charges for the suspects were:
• Heath: aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, child exploitation and child molestation;
• Corbitt: child exploitation;
• Bryant: sex trafficking, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy and first-degree cruelty to children;
• Delk: charged with aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, child exploitation and child molestation;
• Hult: sex trafficking, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, first-degree cruelty to children and incest.
Investigators said the alleged crimes took place in Ware, Charlton, Clinch and Bacon counties. So far, authorities have identified eight victims ranging in age from 3 to 13, and said more victims could be found as the case continues.
Corbitt
Hult
Bryant
Delk
Heath, Delk and Corbitt remain in the Ware County Jail after having bond denied, according to jail records.
The case began with Heath’s arrest June 4 by Ware County Sheriff’s Office detectives. He was charged with seven counts of exploitation of children at that time.
His arrest followed the June 2 arrest of Amy Michelle Crews, 45, of Ware County, on charges of sexual exploitation of children and a parole violation.
Crews also had a fourth amendment waiver at the time of the alleged contact with a female victim under 12 years old.
Acting on intelligence information received in early June, the detectives followed up and checked on the welfare of the female victim. Detectives were able to check Crews’ cellphone, where they found evidence the woman had taken nude images of the child and sent them to a man Crews knew for money.
The male associate was identified as Heath, and he was charged with receiving the images of the underage female juvenile.
After further extensive investigation, multiple interviews, search warrants being filed on Crew’s cellphone, and reviewing other records, authorities were able to obtain probable cause to seek an arrest warrant for Heath.
Several agencies assisted in the investigation resulting from Heath’s arrest, including sheriff’s offices in Charlton, Clinch, Bacon, Brantley and Pierce counties, as well as the Lexington County (S.C) Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities said the investigation remains active.
Anyone with information or who believes there may be other victims can contact the GBI’s regional investigative office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the GBI tip line at (800) 597-TIPS.
