UPDATE: Wilkinson County, GA (September 1, 2020) – On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at approximately 9:30 a.m., John Joseph “Joey” Yozviak, age 38, was arrested and charged with Murder in the second degree and Cruelty to Children in the second degree. This arrest comes after an extensive and thorough investigation regarding the death of Joey’s 12-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn Yozviak.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Wilkinson County, GA (August 27, 2020) – On Wednesday, August 27, 2020, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Mary Kathrine “Katie” Horton, age 37, who was charged with Cruelty to Children in the second degree and Murder in the second degree for the death of her daughter, Kaitlyn Michelle Yozviak, age 12. 

On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at approximately 4:15 p.m., the GBI’s Regional Office in Milledgeville was requested to assist the Ivey Police Department with the death investigation of Kaitlyn Yozviak.  At approximately 2:11 p.m., the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office 911 center received a call from Katie Horton indicating that her daughter was unresponsive.  Kaitlyn Yozviak was transported to Navicent Medical Center in Baldwin County and pronounced dead.  The GBI, along with the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office and the Ivey Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence.

Yozviak’s body was transported to the GBI Crime Lab in Macon where an autopsy was performed.  The preliminary investigation reveals Yozivak was subjected to excessive physical pain due to medical negligence.   

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Ivey Police Department at 478-628-2479 or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 478-445-4173.

Contact

SAC Mary Chandler

[email protected]