Columbus police: No leads in missing kids case

Columbus Police say they have no leads in the disappearance of three Columbus children and their father, Eddie Harrington, as of early Wednesday morning.


Eddie Harrington. (Columbus Police Department)

CPD Lt. Mark Starling, who is leading the investigation, says the statewide Amber Alert is still in effect.

Starling said Harrington left his cellphone at his home, limiting their ability to track his whereabouts. He says that Harrington's credit card use is being tracked, in an effort to zero in on his whereabouts.

Investigators are interviewing Harrington's brother and family, and are working with the as children's mother, Agena Battle.


Agana and Aliyah Battle, Cedric Harrington. (Columbus Police Department)

Starling said several tips have been called in by people who said they'd either seen Harrington or the vehicle they are traveling in, but said that the leads proved erroneous.

Starling said that Harrington is driving a dark green, 2002 Chevrolet Impala, with Indiana license plate No.: 93-L-4740. The vehicle has a crack in the front windshield.


The car the four are traveling resembles the vehicle above.

The GBI, and law-enforcement agencies in several southern states are taking part in the search, as well as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Billboards in Columbus are showing photos of Harrington and the three children.

Columbus Police are urging anyone who has seen the vehicle or its occupants to call them at 706 653 3231 / 3000 (switchboard).

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the case.

Dad who fled with kids sent threatening letter

A Georgia man who fled the state last week with his three young children sent a letter to his father stating that he was going to kill the kids, the FBI said Tuesday.

Eddie Harrington, 28, has been missing from the Columbus, Ga., area since at least March 6, when authorities in Tennessee issued a child abduction alert after he may have been spotted there.

He is believed to be traveling with his twin 23-month-old girls, and his 3-year-old son, according to the FBI.

At some point, Eddie Harrington sent a letter to his father in the Indianapolis area "indicating he was going to kill the kids," an FBI statement said.

Columbus police issued a felony child endangerment warrant for Harrington, and the FBI on Monday issued a federal unlawful flight to avoid prosecution warrant. He is believed to have left the state, and is headed for Indianapolis.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of this case.

(The Associated Press)

Falcons in 20-13 win over Panthers

Atlanta Falcons' Alge Crumpler (83) runs into the end zone for the 30-yard, game-winning touchdown as Carolina Panthers' Quinton Teal (28) reacts in the fourth quarter of the Falcons' Sunday 20-13 win, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

Joey Harrington took the hit. Alge Crumpler did the rest.

Just before he was drilled to the turf, Harrington found Crumpler over the middle for a 30-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left to give the Atlanta Falcons a 20-13 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Crumpler, who returned after missing the previous two games with ankle and knee injuries, caught the short pass over the middle and sliced between safeties Chris Harris and Quinton Teal for the score. Harrington watched from his back after being hit by Thomas Davis, then limped off the field as the Falcons (3-6) won their second straight game.

Warrick Dunn rushed for 89 yards, 47-year-old Morten Anderson kicked two field goals and the Falcons' defense turned in their second straight strong performance to avenge a home loss to Carolina in Week 3.

It was especially sweet for DeAngelo Hall. The cornerback who was called for 63 yards worth of penalties, including two personal fouls while jawing with Steve Smith, prevented a TD on Carolina's best scoring chance.

Trailing 7-0, the Panthers went for it on fourth-and-inches from the Atlanta 20 early in the second quarter. Testaverde lofted a pass to the sideline and Smith made a leaping catch over Hall. But as Smith was trying to get to the end zone, Hall knocked the ball away. It rolled into the end zone and then squirted out of bounds for a touchback.

Testaverde was just 13-of-28 for 153 yards. Matt Moore came in on the final play to throw for the end zone, but was intercepted to finish off another frustrating day for Carolina, which has used four quarterbacks this season.

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(The Associated Press)

Missing kids' mom makes plea for their return

Agana and Aliyah Battle, Cedric Harrington. (Columbus Police Department)

Agena Battle, the mother of a three-year-old son and twin toddler daughters who were taken by their father five days ago from their Columbus home, is pleading for their safe return.

Battle told local tv station WTVM, that she cannot function without them:

"Please air this stating that they are still missing. I have not eaten or slept well since they've been gone. I need them home. I am crying for your help. I have tried to do my daily routine but I cannot function well with out them."

Police say they have received scattered reports of sightings of their father Eddie Harrington and the trio in Tennessee.

Eddie Harrington. (Columbus Police Department)

An Amber Alert for the children was announced in Georgia and surrounding states when the three were first taken from Battle's home last Wednesday morning.

The four were last seen traveling in a green, 2002 Chevy Impala, similar to the one above.

Click here for more details on the case.

Police: abducted children met violent end

The three children that were taken by their father from their mother's home in Columbus two weeks ago, died from gunshot wounds soon after the abduction, Columbus police said Thursday.

The bodies of the children, and that of their father Eddie Harrington were found in an industrial park near Fort Benning, east of the city.

Harrington had left a note at the house for the children's mother, Agena Battle, threatening to kill the three. He sent a similar note to his father.

They had been missing since March 5, and had been originally thought to have fled the state towards Harrington's father's home in Indiana.

Click here for previous GPB News coverage of this story.

Columbus: Amber alert for three missing children

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation put out the Levi's Call alert Wednesday morning for the trio - a male toddler and one-year-old twin girls.

Eddie Harrington. (Columbus Police Department)

The children's father, 29-year-old Eddie Harrington reportedly took them from their mother's home in Columbus in the early hours of the morning, according to Columbus Police Department officer, Lt. Mark Starling:

“They left this morning around 01:30; it's going to be involving a family domestic issue, and because of information left at the home, [there's] some concern on our part for the safety of the kids.”

Agana and Aliyah Battle, Cedric Harrington. (Columbus Police Department)

Starling says there were no signs of violence at the home, and the children's mother was not present when they were taken. Starling described the vehicle:

“He's driving a 2002 Chevrolet Impala, dark green in color, bearing an Indiana tag: 93-L-4740; it has a cracked front windshield.”

The car the four are traveling resembles the vehicle above.

Columbus Police are urging anyone who has seen the vehicle or its occupants to call them at 706 653 3231 / 3000 (switchboard).

More details of the case are available at the GBI website.

Bodies of missing children, father found

Aliyah, Agena and Cedrick (Columbus Police)

The local FBI office says a citizen notified authorities at midday when they came upon the bodies, and the vehicle they had been traveling in.

Law enforcement officials have notified the children's mother, Agena Battle.

The four were found in an industrial park in a rural, wooded area on the eastern part of the city.

The FBI would not confirm how the four died. Muscogee County coroner Bill Thrower declined to say if it was a murder-suicide, according to the Associated Press.

Battle reported 23-month-old twins Aliyah and Agena, their brother, three-year-old Cedrick, and their father, Eddie Harrington, 28, as missing on Wednesday morning, March 5th.

Eddie Harrington (Columbus Police)

FBI Special Agent Steve Emmett in Atlanta describes Harrington's last communication with Battle:

“He left behind a letter, to be found by his girlfriend, where he threatened to kill those children. A second letter was mailed to his father in Indianapolis.”

A Levi's-Amber Alert was announced after the four were reported missing, and searches began throughout Georgia, and the southeast.

The bodies were sent to the GBI crime lab for autopsy.

Click here for previous GPB News coverage of this story.

Georgia sports for Monday, October 22nd

The Atlanta Falcons saw their record fall to 1-6 on the NFL season, losing on the road at New Orleans Sunday 22-16. Byron Leftwich made his first start of the season at quarterback, replacing Joey Harrington. Leftwich was effective in leading the Falcons to a 13-7 halftime lead. However, he injured his right ankle in the 3rd quarter and had to leave the contest. Leftwich posted 15-of-23 passing for 145 yards and a touchdown. Harrington finished the game at QB.

Recapping the college football weekend: Ga Tech scored the 34-10 win over Army in Tech’s homecoming game in Atlanta. Bad news was the injury to running back Tashard Choice—MRI test results are expected later today.

Georgia Southern held-on for a big win on the road at Appalachain State, 38-35. The Eagles led 38-20 and were able to preserve the win down the stretch. Running back Lamar Lewis ran for 74 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Georgia sports update

Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino has announced that Joey Harrington will be the starting quarterback for Thursday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Harrington was sixth in the NFC in completion percentage and had led the Falcons to two straight wins when he was benched by Coach Petrino for the start of Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Bandits. The Falcons have placed starting defensive tackles Rod Coleman and Trey Lewis on injured reserve.

Georgia sports for Monday, September 10th

The Braves fell to the Nationals 7-4 Sunday afternoon from Turner Field in Atlanta. The Braves won 2-of-3 games in their series against Washington, and completed the homestand with 4 wins in 9 games. In the bigger picture, down the stretch to the season, it will be a tall order for Atlanta to get to the postseason as 19 games remain. The Braves are 4-and-a-half games behind the wild card leader, and are 8-and-a-half games off the pace of the Mets in the NL-East. The Braves open a road series tonight in New York against the Mets.

It was the opening weekend of regular season action in the NFL, and for the Atlanta Falcons, life began without Michael Vick: the Falcons lost their opener on the road at Minnesota Sunday, 24-3. Quarterback Joey Harrington was 23-of-32 passing for 199 yards, but threw 2 interceptions--both were returned by the Vikings for touchdowns. Minnesota's defense registered 6 sacks of Harrington.

The college football weekend in the state included wins for Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern, and defeat for Georgia. The Bulldogs at home in Athens fell to South Carolina 16-12. With that defeat, Georgia tumbled 12 spots in the Associated Press rankings to #23. Tech's Yellow Jackets were big winners on Saturday, beating up on Samford 69-14. Tech improved their record to 2-0, and jumped to a #15 national ranking. Georgia Southern's Eagles opened their season in Statesboro, and made a winner of head coach Chris Hatcher in his debut, 45-21 over West Georgia.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, November 21st

In men’s college basketball; Georgia at home in Athens last night took care of Elon College, 76-65. Guard Billy Humphrey returned from his brief team suspension to come off the bench and score 18 points.

The Georgia State men’s team lost on the road at Florida State, 78-48. The Panthers’ record fell to 0-3.

In pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks were 95-83 losers at home to the San Antonio Spurs.

From the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons have had only 3 days between their last game, and preparing for the champion Indianapolis Colts tomorrow inside the Georgia Dome. Head coach Bobby Petrino announced that Joey Harrington returns to start at quarterback, as Byron Leftwich is re-injured. The team has also lost a couple of players for the remainder of the season. Defensive tackles Rod Coleman and Trey Lewis have been placed on injured reserve. Coleman is suffering from an injured hand and triceps. The rookie Lewis sustained a knee injury that requires surgery.

Georgia sports for Monday, September 17th

The Falcons are off to an 0-2 start to their NFL season, following their defeat at Jacksonville Sunday afternoon, 13-7. The Jaguars defense sacked Falcons' quarterback Joey Harrington 7 times, while Falcons' kicker Matt Prater missed 2 field goals--including one from only 26 yards.

The college football weekend included wins for Georgia and Georgia Southern, while Georgia Tech lost their showdown with Boston College. Tech's Yellow Jackets were dominated 24-10 in Atlanta Saturday night. Now with a 2-1 record, the loss dropped Tech from the top-25 rankings. Georgia's Bulldogs got back on the winning track with an easy 45-16 win over Western Carolina Saturday in Athens. Georgia's record is now 2-1. For the Eagles of Georgia Southern, they are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2001, following their win at Coastal Carolina, 42-34.

From baseball, the Braves blanked the Nationals 3-0 Sunday afternoon in action from Washington D-C. Tim Hudson posted the first complete game for a Braves starting pitcher this season. He scattered 7 hits and recorded 6 strikeouts in the 9-inning effort. The Braves-offense included Mark Teixeira's 2-RBI single, and a Kelly Johnson solo home run. The Braves won 2-of-3 games in D-C, and finished the road trip going 3-3. In the race for the National League wild card playoff spot, the Braves remain 5-and-a-half games behind leader San Diego. The final homestand of the season starts tonight--the Braves host Florida.

Georgia sports for Thursday, August 2nd

For a third straight game, the Braves scored double-digit runs in pounding the Houston Astros again, 12-3 at Turner Field in Atlanta. It was a third straight win for the Braves, taking the first 2 games in this series. The Braves have scored 38 runs in the 3 victories.

The contest had the debut of three new Braves. Mark Teixeira started at 1st base, and ripped a 3-run homer in the 6th inning. He finished with 4 RBI's on a 1-for-4 night which included a walk and 2 strikeouts. Pitchers Ron Mahay and Octavio Dotel made their Braves-debuts as well. Mahay threw a scoreless 8th inning with a walk and strikeout. Dotel tossed a perfect 9th with a strikeout. Offensively for the team, the Braves erupted against Wandy Rodriguez in the 1st inning for 7 runs. Braves-starter Buddy Carlyle got the pitching win, although he left the game before the 6th inning with a hyperextended elbow. Reports from the clubhouse afterward said it wasn't serious, and he's probably good to go for his next start.

Before Wednesday's game, the Braves had to make roster moves to accomodate the new arrivals. Veteran Julio Franco was designated for assignment, although if he clears waivers, the Braves would like to bring the 48-year-old back in September as a player, and perhaps a player-coach. Pitcher Jose Ascanio was also sent down to the minors. On Tuesday, reliver Chad Paronto was optioned to the minors to make way for Teixeira on the roster.


From the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons are a week into training camp workouts in Flowery Branch. It's also a week into practice with Joey Harrington as 1st-string quarterback. He's the new number-1, as Michael Vick has been banned from the team by the league because of federal dog fighting charges against him.


Wednesday marked the 1st official day of practice for high school football teams across the state. Most schools open their season schedules on August 31st.

Georgia sports for Friday, August 10th

The Braves survived a 9th inning rally by the homestanding Mets Thursday afternoon, winning at New York 7-6. Leading 7-3 into the last of the 9th inning, the Mets scored 3 runs off reliever Tyler Yates. Oscar Villareal was called upon to get the final 2 outs for the save, earning the pitching win for Tim Hudson. Offensively, the Braves had home runs from Chipper Jones and Mark Teixeira. The Braves are back to within 3-and-a-half games of the Mets for 1st in the NL-East—-it’s now a series in Philidelphia opening tonight.

To the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons are in New York for their 1st exhibition game of the preseason, facing the Jets this evening. It marks the first game for new head coach Bobby Petrino, and the debut of Joey Harrington as starting quarterback, who stands in for the banished Michael Vick.

Preseason practice continues for the college teams of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia Southern. Bulldogs' head coach Mark Richt had the perfect remedy to help his players beat the heat yesterday in Athens. Following a morning practice, he took the Bulldogs to the campus swimming center for some fun and relaxation in the afternoon. Coach Richt led the way, performing a backflip dive off the high board into the pool.

Georgia sports for Monday, October 1st

The Braves on Sunday were 3-0 losers to the Astros in Houston--the final game of the 2007 season for Atlanta. After a surge of 8 wins in 9 games, the Braves within the last week lost 4-of-5 to get knocked out of the playoff race. Atlanta finished with a record of 84-78 for the season. Chipper Jones was hitless at the plate Sunday to finish with a .337 batting average. In his quest for the batting title, he is 2nd to Colorado’s Matt Holiday, who is hitting .340, and has a 1-game playoff game to play today which will count in the statistics. Off-season questions for the Braves to answer include whether to re-sign centerfielder Andruw Jones, who will become a free agent.

From the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons posted their 1st win of the 2007 season, knocking-off the Houston Texans in the Ga Dome, 26-16. Joey Harrington threw a pair of touchdown passes, and Morten Anderson kicked 4 field goals in the victory. The Falcons beat their former backup quarterback, Matt Schaub. The Falcons improve to 1--3 on the season, and its the first win for new head coach Bobby Petrino.

Wrapping up the college football weekend, victories across the board for Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, and Valdosta State. In Athens Saturday, the Bulldogs ran all over Ole Miss 45-17. Georgia running back Thomas Brown rushed for a career-high of 180 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Bulldogs are now 12th in the new Associated Press rankings, a record of 4-1, 2-1 SEC. For Georgia Tech, it was sweet revenge for a blowout loss at Clemson last season. The Yellow Jackets at home Saturday used great defense to turn-back the Tigers 13-3. Tech running back Tashard Choice piled up 145 yards and a touchdown--despite nursing a nagging hamstring injury. The Jackets snapped a 2-game skid, upping their record to 3-2, and 1-2 ACC. In Statesboro Saturday, Georgia Southern scored the 50-21 blowout of Western Carolina. Senior quarterback Jayson Foster threw for 147 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 96 yards and a score. G-Southern is now 3-1, and 1-1 in the Soutnern Conference. For Valdosta State at home, they dismantled Ouachita Baptist 31-3. Running back Michael Terry ran for 181 yards and 2 scores. VSU is now 4-0 for the season.

Georgia sports for Thursday, October 18th

The Atlanta Thrashers have fired their head coach. Bob Hartley is out, as the team opened its pro hockey season losing the first 6 games on the schedule. Hartley just last season led the Thrashers to their first-ever playoff appearance—which ended in an opening-round series loss. General manager Don Waddell will coach the team in the interim while a search for a permanent replacement gets underway. The Thrashers tonight host the Rangers in Atlanta.

The NFL’s Atlanta Falcons are struggling themselves with a 1-5 start. To that end, coach Bobby Petrino has made a change at quarterback, installing Byron Leftwich as the new starter for the remainder of the season. Joey Harrington goes to the bench to serve as the number-2 quarterback.

Falcons wing past 49ers, 20-16

Atlanta defenders DeAngelo Hall (21) and Lawyer Milloy (36) go for an interception as San Francisco receiver Vernon Davis (85) gets turned the wrong way in the second half. Milloy intercepted the ball in the 20-16 Falcons win. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

The Falcons actually won another game, even though most of their fans didn't get to see it.

Warrick Dunn became the first Atlanta back to run for 100 yards this season, Ovie Mughelli had the first TD rushing of his career and the Falcons won a matchup between two of the league's worst teams, holding off the San Francisco 49ers 20-16 Sunday.

The game was blacked out locally the first time that's happened in Atlanta since 2001. The Georgia Dome was far from packed after 56 consecutive sellouts, the city clearly losing interest in a losing squad that no longer has Michael Vick to liven things up.

Dunn rushed for 100 yards on 27 carries, including a 9-yard touchdown. Mughelli, a fullback who essentially serves as another offensive lineman, scored on a 1-yard plunge with just his third carry of the season. Morten Andersen handled the rest of the scoring for the Falcons (2-6) with a couple of fourth-quarter field goals.


Falcons QB Joey Harrington (13) runs for a first down as he is pursued by San Francisco defenders Patrick Willis (52) and Derek Smith (50) in the fourth quarter. Atlanta won 20-16. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

San Francisco (2-6) lost its sixth in a row with another dismal offensive performance. Leading rusher Frank Gore (sore ankle) didn't play and Alex Smith, playing with a taped-up throwing shoulder, completed only 17 of 38 passes for 149 yards, with three interceptions.

(The Associated Press)

Georgia sports for Monday, December 3rd

NFL action from Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons lost on the road at St. Louis, 28-16. Chris Redman replaced Joey Harrington at quarterback for the Falcons, and threw a pair of touchdown passes in the 4th quarter. In the end, it wasn’t enough to prevent the Falcons from falling to their 9th defeat in 12 games this season.

The college football bowl games were announced last night. For Georgia, their hopes of moving up from their number-4 ranking and reaching the Bowl Championship Series title game were dashed. Losses on Saturday by the top 2 teams in the nation created the possibility, but the BCS selected LSU and Ohio State for the championship game. Georgia will be headed to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl New Year’s evening to face undefeated Hawaii. Georgia Tech is going to a lesser bowl, the Humanitarian—to be played on December 31st. They’ll face Fresno State in Boise-Idaho.

Women’s college basketball out of Sunday saw the 7th-ranked Georgia Lady Bulldogs hold-off rival Georgia Tech, 71-64.

From pro hockey, the Atlanta Thrashers lost on the road at New Jersey, 3-2.

Georgia sports for Monday, November 12th

The Atlanta Falcons have won 2-straight games to improve their record to 3-6 overall. Sunday afternoon, the Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers on the road 20-13. The decisive score came with 20 seconds left, as QB Joey Harrington connected with tight end Alge Crumpler on a 30-yard touchdown strike.

The college football weekend wrapup included wins for Georgia and Georgia Tech, while Georgia Southern lost their contest. Georgia's Bulldogs pulled away in the 2nd half to beat Auburn in Athens Saturday, 45-20. The Bulldogs in the new Associated Press rankings have moved up to number-8. Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets won their game on the road Saturday at Duke, 41-24. Tech running back Tashard Choice ran for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns. Georgia Southern's Eagles lost their game to Furman 24-22.

Women's college basketball from Sunday included Georgia's Lady Bulldogs scoring the victory over George Mason, 84-56.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, August 28th

The Braves opened their series in Florida last night, pounding the Marlins 13-2. Brian McCann ripped a grand slam, and Matt Diaz added 4 hits, including a pair of doubles and a home run. The offense supported pitcher Lance Cormier, who threw 7 strong innings for the pitching win. It represented the first victory in 3 weeks for a Braves-starter not named John Smoltz or Tim Hudson. With the win, the Braves drew a game closer to the Mets in the NL-East, now 6 games behind. Atlanta remains 4 back in the wild card race.

Amid all the off-the-field news created by Michael Vick on Monday, the Falcons played their first home game of the preseason last night, scoring the 24-19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. With Vick banished from the team, Joey Harrington is the starting quarterback this season. He posted good numbers last night, completing 13 of 21 passes for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Falcons play their final exhibition game of the preseason Friday night.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a Monday press conference expressed his feelings following Vick's guilty plea to a federal dogfighting charge. Blank said Vick "has let down his fans and his team--he's damaged the reputation of our club and the entire National Football League, and betrayed the trust of many people". Blank also said the team will not cut Vick from the roster right now for purely business reasons. The Falcons are trying to recoup some or all of 22 million dollars in signing bonus money from Vick's contract.