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Ga. Suspect, Three Children Found Alive

Posted on: Thursday, 8 January 2004, 06:00 CST

Three little girls who authorities say were kidnapped by their father after a killing spree that left four people dead were found unharmed Thursday, police said.

The family of the victims said Jerry William Jones, 31, attempted suicide following a chase with police and was taken to the hospital.

Jones, 31, allegedly shot three former in-laws to death, strangled his infant daughter and fled with the girls in a stolen sport utility vehicle. Two of the girls are his daughters and the other is a former stepdaughter.

Jones has a long criminal history, including convictions for burglary and auto theft.

Jones called his ex-wife, Melissa Peeler, late Wednesday and told her of the killings, adding that he would "start killing the kids one by one" if she alerted authorities, according to her brother-in-law.

Peeler had left the children with her parents and sister before leaving for Oregon to visit her boyfriend over the Christmas holidays. She notified police after getting the phone call.

Peeler's parents, Tom and Nola Blaylock, were found shot to death in one home. In the other house, authorities found Jones' former sister-in-law, Georgia Bradley, shot to death, while Jones' 10-month-old daughter by Peeler, Harley, was apparently strangled.

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