Glennville Fire Chief arrested by GBI on child molestation, trespassing charges

TATTNALL COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 1:07 p.m.] The GBI has shared additional details regarding the arrest of Glennville Fire Chief Dale Barnard.

According to the GBI, on January 27, 2026, the Glennville Police Department responded to a 911 call from a minor who reported that Barnard entered his home and molested him.

The Glennville Police Department and the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office then requested the GBI to investigate child molestation allegations on January 27, 2026. The GBI says law enforcement recovered evidence from the home that supports the minor’s report.

Barnard was booked into the Tattnall County Jail. Officials say the case is active and ongoing. Once complete, the case will be given to the Atlantic Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

[ORIGINAL STORY] Glennville Fire Chief Dale Barnard has been arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations on multiple charges, including child molestation and criminal trespass, according to booking documents.

Arrest records show Barnard was arrested and charged with two counts of child molestation (felony), one charge of aggravated child molestation (felony), and one charge of criminal trespass (misdemeanor).

The arrest was made yesterday, January 27, 2026. WTOC has reached out to both the GBI and the City of Glennville and will update this page as more information becomes available.