Welcome to Arrest Stories. Former DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Dr. Devon Quinton Horton was arrested Saturday on charges of third degree child cruelty and aggravated assault involving strangulation following a domestic dispute at his home. Heres what may have happened.
Officers responded to a domestic call on Chedworth Lane in DeKalb County on Saturday afternoon. According to police reports, Dr. Devon Quinton Horton and his wife became involved in a verbal dispute at their residence that escalated and turned physical.
The incident occurred while children were present in the home, though authorities indicate the children were not directly involved in the argument itself. The presence of minors during the alleged assault led to the third degree child cruelty charge against Horton.
Horton was subsequently arrested and booked into the DeKalb County Jail Saturday afternoon on charges of third degree child cruelty and aggravated assault involving strangulation.
This arrest adds to mounting legal troubles for the former educator. Horton resigned from his position as DeKalb County Schools Superintendent in October following federal fraud charges filed against him in Illinois. Those charges allege Horton stole money from his previous school district through a kickback scheme. He is also currently under investigation in DeKalb County for decisions made during his two year tenure as superintendent.
Hortons attorney responded to the weekend arrest, stating quote Dr. Horton and his wife got into an argument at their home yesterday, and he was arrested as a result. Because headlines can be misleading, everyone should know that this incident had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with their children and no child was involved in the argument in any way, other than the mere fact that they were at home when it occurred. Dr. Horton is a loving and devoted father to his children. This is really a personal matter between husband and wife, and Dr. Hortons wife is fully supportive of him and does not want charges pursued.
The DeKalb County School District issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the arrest but declined further comment, noting the incident was unrelated to district operations.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.