PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF SUMTER COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
LEAH WATSON, IN OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS TAX COMMISSIONER OF SUMTER COUNTY, GEORGIA, PETITIONER,
V. CRYSTAL DAWN BELCHER AND/OR HIS OR HER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, BELLSOUTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC, CITY OF AMERICUS GEORGIA , ANY AND ALL PARTIES THAT MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE EXCESS FUNDS GENERATED FROM THE JULY 1, 2025 TAX SALE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 306 PATTON DR., AMERICUS (TAX PARCEL: 49A 65), RESPONDENTS.
CIVIL ACTION FILE NO. 26CV00049(SZ)
NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

To Respondents - Any and all parties that may claim an interest in the Excess Funds generated from the July 1, 2025 tax sale for property located at 306 Patton Dr., Americus (Tax Parcel: 49A 65): Please take notice that Petitioner LEAH WATSON, in official capacity as TAX COMMISSIONER OF SUMTER COUNTY (“Petitioner”) has filed a Summons and Petition for Interpleader in the Superior Court of Sumter County, Georgia in the above-captioned case.
Respondents are hereby commanded to file their Answer to the Petition within 60 days of the date of the Order Directing Service by Publication, or by August 31, 2026, with the Clerk of Superior Court of Sumter County, 500 West Lamar Street Suite 208, Americus, GA 31709, and serve a copy of their Answer on Petitioner’s counsel Bradley A. Hutchins, at Weissman PC, One Alliance Center, 4th Floor, 3500 Lenox Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30326.
Witness, the Clerk of Sumter County Superior Court.
6th day of July, 2026.
By: Cortisa Barthell
Clerk of Superior Court of Sumter County, Georgia

Prepared by:
D. Andrew Folkner
Georgia Bar No. 695599
Bradley A. Hutchins
GA Bar No. 380682
Counsel for Petitioner Leah Watson, in official capacity as Tax Commissioner of Sumter County
Weissman PC
One Alliance Center, 4th Floor
3500 Lenox Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 926-4500 | F 4600

Americus Times Recorder: July 15, 22, 29 and Aug. 5, 2026
E-018662-010097