SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — Washington County investigators served a search warrant to Destiny Magoon's family at around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday. It kicked off a nearly two-hour search of the home while Magoon's husband and in-laws were there.
Magoon was arrested for allegedly scamming 200 people as part of a keepsake business, but the sheriff's office said she didn't make good on the orders. Families also sent belongings like hair, breastmilk and ashes of loved ones.
Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran says they were there to "search for clues and evidence concerning the case." Once they arrived at the home, they got to work.
Investigators first searched the home and then went to the shed where small rectangular boxes and a large plastic container were found. Cochran says the containers they looked in held some evidence that seemed to be connected to Magoon's keepsake business.
Once the search was complete, representatives from the Washington County School District and the Department of Child and Family Services went to talk with the family.
When Magoon was first arrested, Washington County Major Trey Burgamy said deputies found children in the home who should have been in school.
Magoon's keepsake business, Romeo and Juliet Keepsakes, promised to turn personal items like loved ones' ashes, breast milk and hair curls into sentimental keepsakes. But customers say she stole her money and said they never got their keepsakes.
Cochran said they found things like ashes, breastmilk and hair that they believe were part of Magoon's business.
But when Magoon was arrested last week, she told investigators she didn't do it. Cochran says customers are angry.
"That's the last little bit. They may have of a loved one that they've lost, and when they don't have that and you've taken that from them, that hits hard," Cochran said.
Abby Hertz ordered gold jewelry keepsakes and sent her child's first curl to be incorporated into the jewelry. She said she's glad this investigation is happening.
"I am glad that justice is being served, and I'm going to let the justice system work," Hertz said.
Cochran hopes once the evidence is processed, they can return the item to the families. He is hopeful of a thorough investigation. He could not say if items not labeled would be DNA tested and given to the family.
Magoon is charged with 12 counts of felony theft by deception and is awaiting a bond hearing in the Washington County jail.