Grand jury to review raid that disfigured Habersham toddler

The fate of several law enforcement officers, who were involved in a botched raid that severely injured a 19 month-old toddler, will soon be in the hands of a grand jury.

Mountain District Attorney Brian Rickman said the results of an investigation into the May raid will be presented to the jury on Sept. 29.

“The grand jury is an investigative body in this case,” Rickman told Channel 2 Action News. “It’s a form of checks and balances.”

No officers have been charged in the case.

The early morning raid - conducted in late May by a Habersham County Special Response Team composed of sheriff’s deputies and Cornelia police officers - followed the alleged purchase of $50 worth of methamphetamine from Wanis Thonetheva at his mother’s home.

When officers arrived at the house, a report released by the Habersham sheriff’s department said, “the lights were off and there was nothing immediately visible in the entry way.”

Officers, who had a no-knock warrant, lobbed a stun grenade inside the residence. It landed in the playpen of 19-month old Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh, who sustained a brain injury and collapsed lung. His nose was also detached from his face when the device exploded.