Lucedale woman arrested in child abuse investigation

GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- A woman has been arrested in a child abuse investigation in George County.

According to the George County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began in October 2025, when officers from the George County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigators division received a referral from Child Protective Services regarding allegations of abuse involving four minor children under the age of 12.

During the course of the investigation, thirty-four-year-old Rachael Sheppard of Lucedale was identified as the primary suspect. On November 18, 2025, she was formally charged with three counts of felony grooming and two counts of felony molestation-touching of a child.

Sheppard is awaiting a bond hearing before Justice Court Judge Mike Bullock.

The case remains under active investigation.