WALB is working to produce a video for this story. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch our livestream.

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — Four adults were arrested and charged with multiple felonies after a wellness check conducted by Valdosta Police (VPD) on Monday afternoon.

The Lowndes County Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS) requested an escort from VPD for a wellness check on an adult at a residence in the 2500 block of Jerry Jones Drive at around 1 p.m., police said.

DFACS told the detective that there were allegations of a 37-year-old woman being abused at the residence, according to police.

Upon arrival, the detective spoke with Sherri Goode, 44, and Louren Riley, 46. Police said both Goode and Riley seemed evasive and uncooperative when answering questions from the detective.

When other officers and detectives arrived, the 37-year-old victim was found inside the home and needed medical assistance.

SGMC Emergency Medical Services (EMS) later went to the scene and took the victim to the hospital for treatment.

According to VPD, Goode and Riley were taken to the police department to speak with detectives, then were taken to the Lowndes County Jail.

An investigation found evidence that showed that, over a significant period of time, the victim was physically, mentally and financially abused by Goode and Riley, along with Goode’s husband, Kenneth Goode, 46, and the victim’s daughter, Kiera Tolliver, 19.

On Wednesday, May 21, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Sherri Goode, Louren Riley, Kenneth Goode and Kiera Tolliver for the following charges:

• Kidnapping - felony
• False imprisonment - felony
• Aggravated assault - felony
• Aggravated battery - felony
• Exploitation and intimidation of a Disabled Adult - felony
• Four counts of cruelty to a child in the 1st degree - felony
• Battery - misdemeanor

After getting the arrest warrants, detectives learned that Kenneth and Kiera were in Dooly County. They were then brought back to Lowndes County, and they were then put in the Lowndes County Jail.

Police said that the victim is still receiving medical treatment.

DFACS took custody of four children under the age of 10 who were in the residence while the abuse was taking place.

“This is the most horrific case that our department has investigated in most of our careers, and our prayers go out to the victim and the children,” said VPD Chief Leslie Manahan. “The teamwork between all of our community partners in getting needed resources quickly, has been amazing. We also appreciate the assistance from the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division and the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office, who did not hesitate to help us locate two of our offenders. We will continue working with our District Attorney’s Office to ensure these callous monsters are held accountable for everything they have done.”

This investigation, which involves VPD, DFACS, the CAC, the Haven and the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, is still ongoing, and officials said more charges will be forthcoming. At this point in the investigation, detectives have not found any evidence that the children were physically abused.

Anyone with information on this case, or any other case, is asked to contact VPD Bureau of Investigative Services at (229) 293-3145, the crime tip line at (229) 293-3091 or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.