Across the area

Teen is charged with kidnapping of infant

Police have charged a 16-year-old girl with kidnapping in the taking of a 4-month-old child from an Augusta couple late Wednesday.

The girl, who was acquainted with the couple, originally told police that an unknown man wearing a black hoodie grabbed the child while she was outside a home in the 500 block of Hines Street, according to a Richmond County Sheriff's Office report.

After questioning the girl, it was determined that she took the baby to the home of a man she knew in the 1100 block of Anderson Avenue, the report stated. The man told police that the girl told him it was her baby and that it had been born in November.

She then put the baby on a chair in the home and fled when the man left the room to use the telephone, the report said.

The girl has also been charged with giving a false statement to police. She was taken to the Richmond County Youth Detention Center.

The baby was returned to its parents unharmed.

Police seek convicted molester who moved

Columbia County authorities are seeking a Grovetown man who is listed on a sex offender registry.

Albert Joseph Wheeler, 23, recently moved and failed to notify police of his new address, as required by law of anyone listed on a sex offender registry, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

Mr. Wheeler, convicted in 2004 of child molestation, had lived at 4477 E-3 Wrightsboro Road, according to sheriff's office records.

Anyone with information concerning Mr. Wheeler's whereabouts can call the sheriff's office at (706) 541-2800.

Drawing to hunt, fish on post set for May 16

On May 1, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will begin accepting letters of application for the random drawing of 250 hunting and fishing permits for Fort Gordon.

Officials will accept applications from members of the public, even those not associated with Fort Gordon, from May 1 to May 15, according to a news release. The drawing will be held on May 16. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid Georgia Hunter Education Certificate.

Those whose names are drawn are subject to background checks and must have required state licenses, including nonresident permits for those not from the state, the release stated. The letter must include the applicant's full name, address, Social Security number, date of birth and phone number. No more than three applicants will be accepted per letter. The letter may be sent to: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, ATTN: Fort Gordon Hunt, 142 Bob Kirk Road, Thomson, Ga., 30824.

Augusta attorney is confirmed as judge

The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Augusta attorney James Randall Hall to serve as the next United States District Court judge for the Southern District of Georgia.

President Bush chose Mr. Hall to fill the vacancy created by Judge B. Avant Edenfield, who elected to take senior status effective Aug. 2 of last year.

Mr. Hall was recommended for the post by U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.

Mr. Hall currently serves as a partner with Warlick Tritt Stebbins & Hall, LLP. He represented the 22nd District in the Georgia State Senate.

-- From staff reports