UPDATE: Former DeKalb Schools superintendent Devon Hudson’s arrest stemmed from physical argument with wife 

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Devon Horton’s attorney, Terence Campbell of Cotsirilos, Poulos & Campbell, has issued a statement to media outlets disputing claims that led to Horton’s arrest on child cruelty in the third degree and aggravated assault-strangulation charges.

Campbell said the incident, which occurred on Saturday, Jan. 17, is a “personal matter between husband and wife.” He said the dispute “had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with their children and no child was involved in the argument,” except for their being home during the dispute.

“Dr. Horton and his wife got into an argument at their home yesterday, and he was arrested as a result. Because headlines can be misleading, everyone should know that this incident had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with their children and no child was involved in the argument in any way, other than the mere fact that they were at home when it occurred. Dr. Horton is a loving and devoted father to his children. This is really a personal matter between husband and wife, and Dr. Horton’s wife is fully supportive of him and does not want charges pursued.”

–Terence Campbell of Cotsirilos, Poulos & Campbell

DeKalb County Police arrested Horton in Stone Mountain, GA on a warrant charging him with Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree and Aggravated Assault Strangulation. Under Georgia law, attempting to strangle someone is a felony offense carrying significant prison time, if convicted.  A 2014 amendment to the state’s aggravated assault statue HB 911 explicitly defines strangulation as a felony in domestic violence cases.

Jail records show Horton was booked into the DeKalb County Jail on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 1:38 p.m.  and released shortly after midnight on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Horton’s arrest comes amidst a separate federal corruption case in an alleged kickbackand embezzlement scheme tied to his tenure as schools chief at the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 in Illinois before being hired as superintendent of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD). Horton resigned from DCSD last October following the 17-count federal indictment. His resignation became effective on Nov. 15, 2025.