Bartow County (June 29, 2022) – A Cartersville man, Sean Robert Grooms, of 64 Fouche Drive, has been arrested on a charge of child molestation. The daughter of Groom’s girlfriend, Tristan Thurman, disclosed that Grooms had used his fingers to touch her privates on several occasions.
On July 5, Bartow County Police received a DFCS report regarding a three-year-old child who said that her mother’s boyfriend, Grooms, had touched her inappropriately in June. A forensic interview was conducted with the child.
During the interview, the victim identified all parts of the human anatomy drawings before being asked any questions. She told the interviewer that her mother’s boyfriend touched her privates with his finger while at a residence in Acworth. She stated that she was playing on the phone in the bedroom and was on the bed when this incident occurred.
The child said Grooms took pictures of her privates with his cell phone during the abuse. She also stated that Grooms drew pictures on her butt with a marker.
The victim disclosed that her mother, Tristan Thurman, witnessed the abuse and told Grooms not to touch her “there.” She also told authorities that she had seen Grooms touching her mother’s privates and butt too.
The young child said Grooms had touched her privates on more than one occasion. She did not disclose anyone else touching her inappropriately.
The victim’s brother was also interviewed but did not disclose any information about him or his sister being abused.
A sexual assault exam was scheduled for the victim in this case. The children are currently not with their mother. They are in the care of their step-grandmother.
On October 21, Grooms was arrested and charged with one count of child molestation. He is currently in custody at the Bartow County jail. He has a bond hearing set for Monday, October 31st. This is currently an active and ongoing investigation. This case will be updated once more information becomes available.
Additionally, Grooms is on active felony probation. He has other pending charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine by ingestion, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and drug related objects stemming from a traffic stop on June 15th. These charges are unrelated to this case and are pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 0917 hours, a Forensic Interview was conducted for Victim/Juvenile/[REDACTED BY AGENCY] (3 YOA). Complainant/[REDACTED], with Bartow County DFCS had the interview scheduled, after [REDACTED BY AGENCY] made the statement that her mother’s boyfriend/Suspect/Sean Grooms, touched her inappropriately. The interview was conducted at [100 BLOCK] Douglas Street, Cartersville, GA 30120, at ‘A Better Way’ Children’s Advocacy Center (ABWCAC), by Interviewer [REDACTED].
I attended the interview, and I observed the follow occur:
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] was shown a drawing of the female anatomy. She described each body part on the drawing. She described the vagna as ‘private parts’, the chest as ‘bobies’ and the butt, as ‘the butt’.
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] was shown a drawing of the male anatomy. She described each body part on the drawing. She described the pen*s as ‘weiner’, and the butt as ‘the butt’.
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated it is not okay for someone to touch her privates, or her butt. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that Sean has touched her privates. She stated he touched her privates with his finger. She said she was at Sean’s house, ([4700 BLOCK] Chickasaw Way, Acworth, GA 30102) when this happened. She said her mother/[WITNESS #1], saw this when it happened. [WITNESS #1] told Sean not to touch [REDACTED BY AGENCY] there. This happened in [WITNESS #1]’s bedroom, while [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was playing on [WITNESS #1]’s phone. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was on the bed. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated Sean also took pictures of her privates while this was happening, with his cell phone. She stated Sean also drew pictures on her butt. She stated he would draw on it with a marker.
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated Sean has touched her privates more than one time, and that she also saw Sean touch her momma’s privates and butt. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was asked if anyone else touched her privates, and she did not disclose any other information.
Directly after [REDACTED BY AGENCY] interview, her brother/[REDACTED], who lived in the household was also interviewed (0941 hours). I also attended this interview. He did not disclose any information about any abuse against he or [REDACTED BY AGENCY].
Both interviews were audio/video recorded by ABWCAC. I took notes during the interviews which I uploaded to the case file.
Both children are not currently in [WITNESS #1]’s care at this time. They are with their step-grandmother/[REDACTED]. [REDACTED] was the one that brought them to the interview. After the interviews were over, I spoke with [REDACTED]. I explained a sexual assault kit would need to be done, and she stated she agreed. I told her I would contact the sexual assault center and have it scheduled and she agreed.
This case is left active. When more information is gathered, it will be added to the Investigative Summary of this report.
[End of Narrative]
