A Georgia mother deliberately crashed her SUV carrying her two children into a utility pole to prove to them that God would protect them, authorities said.
Bahari Shaquille Warren, 25, was charged with two counts of child cruelty after the March 2018 incident in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Police said Warren told her children, ages 5 and 7, to buckle their seatbelts before intentionally driving her car off the road.
According to investigators, Warren explained to her children that God would protect them if they believed.
She then crossed into oncoming traffic on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, drove onto a sidewalk, and crashed into a concrete pole.
Witnesses called police after seeing the SUV veer across lanes and hit the pole. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Warren and her two children, who fortunately survived the crash without serious injuries.
During questioning, Warren’s children told police their mother had asked them, “Do you believe God is real?” before instructing them to buckle up.
They said she announced she would crash the car to prove God’s existence and protective power.
“Her eyes (were) closed and she was saying, ‘blah, blah, blah, I love God,’” the girl said. “She didn’t want us to just have a car accident. She wanted us to know that God is real.”
The incident occurred near North Berkeley Lake Road in Gwinnett County. Warren was immediately taken into custody and transported to the Gwinnett County Jail. The children were released into the custody of their grandparents.
Warren faced two counts of child cruelty in the second degree, charges that carry significant penalties in Georgia.
The case highlighted concerns about mental health and public safety, particularly when involving young children.
Local authorities emphasized that while religious faith is protected, endangering children’s lives is a serious criminal offense. The incident sparked discussions in the community about the intersection of religious beliefs and parental responsibility.
The crash caused minor damage to the utility pole and Warren’s vehicle. Traffic was temporarily disrupted while emergency responders cleared the scene and conducted their initial investigation.
Editor’s Note: This report is based on police records, witness statements, and local news coverage from Gwinnett County, Georgia, following the March 2018 incident.