Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Our SWAT team and partner agencies rescued a 13-year-old girl kidnapped from Georgia from a Jacksonville motel room.
After being taken in Georgia and brought more than 130 miles to Jacksonville, investigators tracked her location to a Philips Highway motel. On July 16, 2026, our SWAT Team joined the FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation in a coordinated operation to rescue her.
When officers arrived, 42-year-old Jonathon Kelly ran from the room, jumped into a vehicle, and attempted to get away. He nearly struck a JSO SWAT vehicle before crashing into the motel. The dramatic moments were captured on body-worn camera. Due to legal and privacy concerns, we’re not releasing video the inside of the room where we found the girl.
Kelly and 32-year-old Giovannie Carter are now facing multiple charges.
While the FBI and GBI are leading this investigation, we’re grateful to have played a role in bringing this young girl to safety. She is now getting resources and support after the traumatic ordeal.
This is what happens when law enforcement agencies work together every second matters, and every life matters.
Our SWAT team and partner agencies rescued a 13-year-old girl kidnapped from Georgia from a Jacksonville motel room.
After being taken in Georgia and brought more than 130 miles to Jacksonville, investigators tracked her location to a Philips Highway motel. On July 16, 2026, our SWAT Team joined the FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation in a coordinated operation to rescue her.
When officers arrived, 42-year-old Jonathon Kelly ran from the room, jumped into a vehicle, and attempted to get away. He nearly struck a JSO SWAT vehicle before crashing into the motel. The dramatic moments were captured on body-worn camera. Due to legal and privacy concerns, we’re not releasing video the inside of the room where we found the girl.
Kelly and 32-year-old Giovannie Carter are now facing multiple charges.
While the FBI and GBI are leading this investigation, we’re grateful to have played a role in bringing this young girl to safety. She is now getting resources and support after the traumatic ordeal.
This is what happens when law enforcement agencies work together every second matters, and every life matters.
