VALDOSTA – The Valdosta Police Department has released body cam video footage in response to a video posted to social media claiming mistreatment by VPD officers and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident began Saturday, September 17 at approximately 11:11 a.m. when VPD officers were dispatched to a home in the 1500 block of Vallotton Drive in reference to a child custody issue, said VPD Capt. Kari Williams.

“The complainant reported that he is the custodial parent of an 11-year-old child. He reported that the child’s mother, Crystle Galloway, does not have custody, but he allowed Galloway to see the child,” Williams said. “The complainant reported that after he, the child and Galloway spent the morning together, they traveled back to his residence. The complainant stated that there was a knock on his door and when he answered, an African American male pushed the door open and entered with several other persons. He reported that he recognized one of the persons who entered his home as Galloway’s mother, Nicole Benhammou.”

The father reportedly told police his daughter was dragged outside by her wrists and placed into a silver Kia sport utility vehicle with Florida license plates. He also said Galloway left the scene in a silver Nissan.

“The complainant reported that the child was probably being driven to Tampa, Florida where Galloway resides. Officers spoke with an independent witness, a neighbor who stated she saw a silver sport utility vehicle pull up at a high rate of speed in front of the complainant’s residence,” Williams said. “The witness also said she saw several persons enter the complainant’s residence and then saw the child being taken out of the house against their will because the child was being pulled by her arms. The witness reported that the child was placed in the silver vehicle which sped away at a high rate of speed.”

Area law enforcement agencies were alerted to the situation, and a deputy with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office spotted the vehicles on Interstate 75 near Mile Marker 5 and conducted a traffic stop, reports stated.

“The child was found safe,” Williams said.

	Nicole Benhammou, 51 interference with child custody, disorderly conduct
	Crystal Galloway, 29 interference with child custody
	Lisa Black, 53 interference with child custody, possession of marijuana
	Janice Peoples, 37 interference with child custody
	Carey Black, 33 interference with child custody, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, possession of powder cocaine

 

Crystle Galloway, 29,  Lisa Black, 53, Janice Peoples, 37, Nicole Benhammou, 51, and Carey Black, 33, were taken into custody for interference with child custody. All were transported to the Lowndes County Jail, reports stated.

The Valdosta Police Department has received a copy of the court order signed by a judge which gives the child’s father full custody.

Benhammou has posted a video on Facebook giving her account of the incident which has been viewed more than 100,000 times. In the video, she makes several claims of being mistreated by officers.

“I am aware that Benhammou has put videos on social media reflecting she did nothing wrong and was mistreated,” said VPD Chief Brian Childress. “These allegations are ridiculous and totally false. She violated the law along with her daughter and associates. The father was generous by allowing the mother to see the child even though he has been given full-custody by a judge. In response, they assaulted him and violated the court order. That is why Benhammou was arrested. She was not mistreated and the interactions with her were recorded on body-camera video.”

Childress has released portions of the officer body cam footage to ValdostaToday, including footage of Benhammou using profanity with hospital staff and an officer after she was transported for medical treatment for complaints of an asthma attack, officials said. (*Editor’s note. Due to the graphic nature of the video, ValdostaToday has elected not to post that portion of the footage).