WEDNESDAY November 28, 2018 BARTOW COUNTY’S ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER 75 CENTS Cartersville woman whose 2-year-old son drowned in pool pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter BY JAMES SWIFT [email protected] Bobbie Jessica Prather, 32, en- tered a negotiated plea of guilty to five counts in Bartow Superior Court Tuesday, including one count of involuntary manslaugh- ter in connection to the May 2017 drowning death of her 2-year-old son Jagger Reese Settles. Cherokee Judicial Circuit Judge Suzanne H. Smith accepted the state’s recommendations and sentenced Prather to 20 years, with two years to serve in state prison and the remainder to be served on probation. Prather will receive credit for time served dating back to May 29, 2017. JEFF DAY/GROUPPHOTOS.COM That day, emergency respon- Trombonists in the Woodland High Wildcat Marching Band play their instruments in 19-degree weather during the 92nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. ders arrived at Prather’s home along Canter Lane at about 1:30 p.m. A Bartow County Sheriff’s Office deputy found the victim unresponsive and unconscious in an above-ground swimming pool. “The evidence will show that he had been in the pool for quite Cool some time,” said Cherokee Judi- cial Circuit Assistant District At- torney Suzanne Brookshire. “They tried to resuscitate him, but they were unable to do so.” Prather was arrested several hours later, initially charged with felony murder and four counts of cruelty to children in the first de- gree. ’Cats Brookshire said methampheta- mine was recovered from the home, with responders noting that Prather appeared to be “disori- JASON MUN/GROUPPHOTOS.COM Banner carriers announce that the Woodland High School Wildcat Marching ented” at the time. Three other Band has arrived at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. children were living at the resi- dence. Woodland band performs breaking the previous record low for the played for 2.5 miles,” Willoughby said. According to Prather’s initial event of 21 degrees in 1930, 1938 and “I think most people that watch the pa- arrest warrant, she had left her 1972, according to the National Weather rade assume that what they see on TV is at in 19-degree weather at SEE , PAGE 7A Service for New York. the beginning of the parade,” he said. PLEA The 19-degree mark also was a record- “However, to put it in perspective, keep in low performance temperature for a march- mind that before seeing the Woodland Thanksgiving parade ing band led by Director of Bands Eric band at 11:40 [a.m.] on television, they Willoughby, who said none of his groups had been waiting outside from 7:30 to BY DONNA HARRIS they experienced in New York would’ve had ever performed in weather that cold. 10:15 a.m. then marched for 2.5 miles [email protected] been to practice in a freezer. “Not even close,” he said. “The wind starting at 10:15 and sprinted the final half When the 2.5-mile parade stepped off chill early in the morning while we were block with about 60 seconds to re-stage They rehearsed and planned for their from West 77th Street and Central Park waiting was below 10 degrees. The stu- prior to what was seen on NBC.” trip to the 92nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiv- West at 9 a.m., the temperature was 20 de- dents endured those conditions for almost Willoughby also said the frigid temper- ing Day Parade for months, but the only grees. But two hours later, as the 213- three hours prior to stepping off on the pa- atures “are not the friend of band instru- way members of the Woodland High member band drew closer to Herald rade.” ments.” School Wildcat Marching Band could’ve Square for its 60-second TV performance, The performance that was seen on NBC been prepared for the brutal temperatures the thermometer had dipped to 19 degrees, “was after the students had marched and SEE PARADE, PAGE 7A Prather Red Top Mountain State Park’s Christmas at the HURRY, CANES! Cabin provides insight into holidays of yesteryear Tickets now on sale for Canes’ state playoff game BY MARIE NESMITH big things I get out of it. [email protected] “They come back, because they want more of it. So that means I’m Affectionally known as Santa giving the right signals — show- Arthur, Arthur Heller will take ing them the kindness and the love center stage Saturday at Red Top that needs to be given. Some Mountain State Park’s Christmas [kids] don’t talk at all, but most of at the Cabin. Taking part in the them have something to say. … I festive event for more than 10 ask them a lot of questions. I have years, the former Acworth resi- an arsenal of questions that I start dent is looking forward to greet- them off with to try to get them to ing new and familiar faces. open up.” “I actually think I am Santa. Ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., What I like the most about [being the event will be centered around Santa] is the end result of how the venue’s Vaughan 1800s log parents and kids feel after they see cabin, behind the former park of- RANDY PARKER/THE DAILY TRIBUNE NEWS Santa and Mrs. Claus,” said fice. Cynthia Wise, right, purchases tickets from Yvonne Holmes Heller, who will be joined by his To capture their youngsters’ vis- at the Church Street booth of Weinman Stadium for Friday wife, Nancy, as Mrs. Claus. “ … its with Santa Arthur, adult pa- night’s home Class 4A state semifinal playoff football game RANDY PARKER/THE DAILY TRIBUNE NEWS, FILE One of the [special] things is hav- trons are encouraged to bring their between Cartersville and Marist. Tickets are $15 each and Gunner McKinlay of Acworth watches closely as a Georgia will be on sale today and Thursday at the Church Street Department of Natural Resources interpretive ranger makes an ing kids come … year after year, own cameras. Along with picture ticket booth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets also will be sold elf with a pine cone and sticks for him at a previous Christmas and you can see them actually Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Kickoff Friday night is scheduled SEE , PAGE 2A at the Cabin event at Red Top Mountain State Park. growing up. So that’s one of the CABIN for 7:30. INSIDE TODAY Sunny, Obituaries . .2A Business . .6A cool VOLUME 72, NO. 176 Family Living . .3A Blotter . .7A High 44 U.S. & World . .4A Sports . .1B www.daily-tribune.com Entertainment . .5A Classifieds . .3B Low 28 2A Wednesday, November 28, 2018 • www.daily-tribune.com Local The Daily Tribune News ContactUs OBITUARIES The Daily Tribune News A Celebration of Life Service Harley Davidson and wild the oldest of three daughters. and Delores Hickom. Address: 251 S. Tennessee St. will be conducted at eleven o’- women. Eileen was a devoted wife to She is survived by her devoted Cartersville, GA 30120 clock in the morning on Wednes- He is preceded in death by his James Williams brother-in-law, Lewis H. Hickom; day, November 28, 2018 in the two brothers, Larry Thomas and mother to three nieces, Dianna Shackelford, Mailing Address: chapel of Owen Funeral Home Williams and Joe Harvey Lois Elaine and Gloria Raulerson, Serena Sanford 251 S. Tennessee St. with Dr. Jacob King and Rev. Williams. an adored aunt and their families; three nephews, Cartersville, GA 30120 David Baker officiating. Burial Survivors include his daughter, and a good Steve Hickom, Douglas Hickom Phone: 770-382-4545 will immediately follow in Provi- Karley (Benjamin) Carroll; sister, friend to all she and Scott Hickom and their fami- After 5 p.m.: 770-382-4548 Hazel Marie dence Cemetery. Nora (Larry) Hendrix; grandson, met. She was lies; numerous great and great- Fax: 770-382-2711 Friends were invited to a visita- Declan Carroll; nephews, Chris an artist, great nieces and nephews; three Passmore tion with the family on Tuesday, (Kaleigh) Hendrix and Gibson crafter, baker, Godchildren, Matthew Hickom, Alan Davis, Hazel Marie Passmore, age 74, November 27, 2018 at Owen Fu- (Kimberly) Williams; niece, candy maker Lauren Tippet and Tyler Tippet; Publisher formerly of Cartersville, GA, neral Home. Tracey Causey. and knitter. She special friends, Mark and Jill Tip- Jason Greenberg, Williams passed away Sunday November Serving as pallbearers are Larry A Celebration of Life Service bestowed pet; numerous friends in Illinois Managing Editor 25, 2018 at Redmond Regional Highfield, Randall McIntyre, will be held at one o’clock in the many Christmas goodies, can- and Georgia. Jennifer Moates, Hospital. Barry Jackson, Curt Atkins, Jerry afternoon on Thursday, November vases, afghans and beaded orna- Graveside services will be con- Advertising Director Hazel was Branton and Tim Thompson. 29, 2018 in the chapel of Owen ments to family and friends. She is ducted on Saturday, December 1, Mindy Salamon, born on October Go to www.owenfunerals.com Funeral Home with Rev. Derrick formally of Lewiston, IL, but has 2018 in Jonesboro Cemetery in Office Manager/Classified 02, 1944 in Bar- to leave condolences for the fam- Hobbs officiating. Interment will resided with family in Cartersville Illinois. Advertising Director tow County, ily. immediately follow in Powder in recent years. She was a member Friends are cordially invited to Owen Funeral Home 12 Collins Springs Memorial Gardens. of Lewiston United Methodist a visitation with the family for one Lee McCrory, daughter of the Circulation/Distribution late Clyde and Drive Cartersville, GA has charge In lieu of customary remem- Church and has attended Sam hour prior to services at Rendle- Manager Frances Branton of the arrangements.