The Walker County Sheriff’s Office put out a press release regarding the Walker County couple who were recently arrested on child molestation and child trafficking charges. Here is the official statement.
The Walker County Sheriff’s Office received information on May 15, 2026, into the
continuing abuse of a child, which prompted further investigation. As a result of
the investigation, criminal warrants for Trafficking, Rape, and Aggravated Sodomy
were obtained for David Rutherford, 60, and Heather Rutherford, 43, both of
Flintstone, Georgia.
A search warrant was executed on the property of David Rutherford and Heather
Rutherford, located at 102 Nancy Lane in Flintstone, Georgia on May 22,
2026. Shortly before execution of the search warrant at the residence, David
Rutherford and Heather Rutherford were taken into custody on the criminal
warrants without incident in Rhea County, TN through coordinated effort between
the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County, TN Sheriff’s Office, and the
Rhea County, TN Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation is still ongoing due to the nature of the charges and information
learned through the investigative process. Due to the investigation still being
active and out of respect for victims of traumatic abuse, we, at this time, will not
be sharing any further details of the crimes committed against this child.
We would like to thank our law enforcement partners and community resource
advocates. Their assistance with this case has been extraordinary.
(FBI Dalton Office/FBI Chattanooga Office/ Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region
1 Calhoun Office / Hamilton County, TN Sheriff’s Office / Rhea County, TN Sheriff’s
Office / Sexual Assault Center / Children’s Advocacy Center).