Man accused of kidnapping, beating girlfriend during drive through Habersham

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — A 30-year-old man faces kidnapping and family violence charges after authorities say he repeatedly struck a woman and refused more than 25 requests to let her out of a vehicle.

The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kody Martin Baker of Clarkesville following the alleged incident on Sept. 10.

According to arrest warrants, Baker and the woman traveled from an apartment near Clarkesville to the intersection of GA 365 and Charlie Davis Road in Baldwin. During the drive, the woman allegedly asked Baker more than 25 times to stop the vehicle and let her out. Investigators allege Baker refused and continued driving against the woman’s will while repeatedly striking her with his hand.

The alleged assault left the woman with visible redness and swelling around her face and hair pulled from the top of her head, the warrants state.

The Sheriff’s Office described Baker and the woman as being in a relationship. The warrants state they previously shared a home and were living together while homeless at the time of the incident.

Deputies also allegedly found a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and multiple pipes containing suspected methamphetamine residue in Baker’s possession. He was arrested and booked at the Habersham County Detention Center.

Baker is charged with multiple counts under the Family Violence Act, including kidnapping, false imprisonment, and battery. In addition, they charged him with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug-related objects, DUI, and reckless driving.