THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) has made an arrest in reference to the 4-year-old girl who was found walking on the side of the highway last night, May 13.

Lisa Vaughn, the grandmother of the child, has been arrested and charged with cruelty to children.

The sheriff’s office says that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are forthcoming.

The child was found unharmed, and she has been placed with a family with the assistance of the Department of Family & Children Services, according to the TCSO.

According to investigators, the girl was found around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 on Highway 19 in Ochlocknee, Georgia. The child was not far from the property that both the mother and grandmother live on when she was found.

When investigators arrived on the scene, they said the child had the family dog with her, and she was asking for her grandmother. This caused investigators to believe the child was supposed to be in the care of the grandmother.

“We believe that there were some communication deficiencies between the grandmother and the mother who live on the same property. We are actively trying to find out exactly what that situation was — whether the child became misplaced or wondered off on her own,” said Lt. Kevin Dennis, Assistant Commander of the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.

Once travelers spotted the child, they contacted the sheriff’s office, who picked the child up and began investigating. One motorist who alerted police said, “It was sad to see her walking with one shoe. It was heartbreaking to see that. I’m glad we helped that little girl.”

The speed limit on US 19 is 65 mph, and on these rural roads at 7 p.m., investigators say the dangers of the route could’ve made this situation worse.

“It’s a four-lane, and just like most people do, [drivers] kind of zone out when they’re travelling those kinds of distances in rural areas. You know, the child simply stepping into the roadway... It could’ve been a much more horrible ,” Lt. Dennis said.

Wednesday morning, TCSO took to Facebook to address the situation, which was gaining a lot of attention on social media.

At about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lt. Pascal Autery with the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office told WALB that they were speaking with the child and grandmother at the sheriff’s office.

As of Wednesday evening, the child was placed with the Department of Family & Children Services, and the grandmother is charged with Cruelty to Children. TCSO said they are still investigating, and because of the circumstances, they expect more arrests.

The sheriff’s office will continue to investigate the situation, and they urge the community to continue to say something if you see something.

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