The Effingham County mother who turned herself into authorities last week after more than eighteen months on the run appeared in court Tuesday morning.
Represented by Brunswick attorney Kevin Gough, Kaylauni French appeared for a bond hearing before Judge Lovett Bennett Jr. French has been in custody since she turned herself in on October 28.
Case Background
34-year-old Kaylauni Rae French found herself wanted by law enforcement in Effingham County during a custody dispute in February 2024. French fled the Guyton area with four of her children amid an investigation by the Georgia Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) and a Contempt of Court order signed by a judge.
French has a lengthy documented history with DFCS and law enforcement, including a fire that occurred at the French residence in October 2023, prompting an investigation into the living conditions of the home. Court documents also allege that at the time French absconded:
- she had at least seven cases – including juvenile court cases involving inadequate supervision of the child, food, clothing, and shelter.
- all four children were home alone when a fire ignited in the master bedroom and that one of the children started the fire as a cry for help
- French had a pattern of truancy issues
- French had a history of alienating her children’s fathers from their lives.
- French had not cooperated with DFCS, prompting concern by the father requesting the change of custody
See photos and a detailed timeline here.
In the Spring of 2024, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants for French for Interference with Custody (Interstate) (4 counts), Cruelty to Children/Criminal Negligence/Causes Excessive – 4 counts, and Maintaining a Disorderly House (1 count). The case was presented to the grand jury and a True Bill of Indictment was returned on the four counts of Interference with Custody. French’s boyfriend, Christopher Kersey, was also indicted for Failure to Report Suspected Child Abuse and Violation of Oath by Public Officer. The Violation of Oath charge stemmed from his employment at the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, which was terminated in 2024.
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office announced on October 28, 2025 that French turned herself in to the Effingham County Jail in cooperation with her attorney, the district attorney’s office, and law enforcement officers.
Bond Hearing
Defense Witnesses
Gough put Tristan and Christina Meyers, neighbors of French, on the stand to testify to their beliefs about whether or not French would pose a significant flight risk if granted bond. Both Meyers stated they did not believe French would be a flight risk, nor would she obstruct justice, intimidate witnesses, or pose a threat to others.
ADA Matt Breedon asked Christina Meyers if she had continuous contact with French while she was gone, which Meyers denied. Breedon also asked if Meyers was aware that French was convicted of Child Endangerment in another state. Meyers said she only knew what she saw in the news. Gough asked for a certified copy of the conviction referenced by Breedon. Breedon said the conviction was referenced on French’s GCIC report, which Gough asked to review before also asking to confer with Breedon before the court proceeded because of concerns that she was not actually convicted.
On re-direct, Gough asked Meyers if anything she was asked by the prosecutor changed her opinion on whether or not French should get bail. Meyers stated her opinion had not changed.
Gough objected to witnesses testifying on cross examination about custody disputes in which French was not the prevailing party. He said it had nothing to do with the issue of bond. He also objected to testimony about the fact that local law enforcement agencies partnered with federal law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Marshals, which Breedon said was necessary to demonstrate the magnitude of the search to return French and the children back to Georgia. Both of Gough’s protestations were overruled.
State Witnesses
ADA Breedon put Nathan Myers up to testify via zoom due to his residence out of state. Nathan Myers is the father of three of French’s children. Breedon asked if there was anything he wanted the court to know about whether or not French should receive bond. He stated he did not believe French should get a bond. “She ran once, I don’t see why she wouldn’t try to run again.”
He listed her “deliberate and sustained disregard for court orders, her defiance of DFCS directives, and the ongoing risk she poses to the safety and stability of the children.” Myers went on to testify that the children are behind developmentally, socially, academically, and emotionally as a result of the abduction, which left them without structure and order for a lengthy period of time.
Breedon then called Chad Thomas to the stand. Thomas is the father of one of French’s children. He testified about the custody dispute with French and her failure to appear or produce the children as ordered by the court in 2024. Thomas read a prepared statement asking the court to deny bond for French due to her ‘consistent and alarming pattern for disregard of court orders, law enforcement, and basic parental responsibilities.’ He said the children had been deprived of school, medical care, and lived in neglectful and dangerous environments. On cross examination, Gough asked Thomas if his daughter was currently under psychiatric care, to which Thomas said they were working to get her on his insurance. Gough asked, “So the solution to your fifteen-year-old’s problems is to have her institutionalized?” His question was sustained, but Thomas answered anyway and stated he only wanted her to see a psychiatrist.
Amanda Thomas, wife of Chad Thomas, also testified on the state’s behalf to echo what Thomas and Myers stated about French’s attitude toward law enforcement and the courts.
Arguments Before the Court
In arguments before the court, Gough argued that the point of the hearing was to determine if French met the statutory requirements for bond. “It is clear, it is indeed undeniable, that she would be entitled to bond under Georgia law,” Gough said. He said the issue is if there are any conditions of release that would protect the interests of the public and an ankle monitor and a curfew with a prohibition on leaving the state would accomplish that.
“She was a model citizen before she made a horribly poor judgment to take the law into her own hands,” he argued. “I can’t condone that, no lawyer could.” He also said French can’t fight for her children until she resolves her criminal case. “She is a good person, your Honor,” he said before telling the court he has seen people charged with murder and child molestation get a bond.
ADA Breedon countered Gough’s arguments by saying that ankle monitors are not effective means of ensuring someone does not flee as they can be cut off if someone really wants to run. He also challenged the testimony of the neighbors – Tristan and Christina French – because they testified that they had not had contact with French since February 2024.
“I think the testimony of the family members who have been fighting to get these children back for two years while Ms. French was on the run is a little bit more on point for the court and should carry more than that,” Breedon said.
He also blasted the defense’s argument that French turned herself in to authorities. “I’m not going to get into the facts of the case, but it’s not that simple, Judge. It’s not as though she knew there were warrants out for her and turned herself in. She knew she had warrants out for her arrest for two years and didn’t turn herself in.” He mentioned local and federal law enforcement officials and her co-defendant who has “turned against her.” Breedon said it’s easier to turn yourself in when the walls are closing in.
Gough replied to the state’s arguments by saying that the district attorney’s office is inserting itself into a custody battle.
Ultimately, Judge Bennett denied the request for bond, stating that French does pose a significant risk of fleeing the jurisdiction and failing to appear for court. Bennett also said French poses a threat to the children and to obstructing justice in the criminal case.
French will be formally arraigned on her charges in December. The Grand Jury will convene on December 1, so it is possible that French’s case will be reindicted with additional charges.
