Two unrelated men named Steven Griffin faced criminal charges in 2025, and the Steven Griffin charges most often searched belong to one of two separate cases: a 44-year-old in Springfield, Illinois, indicted on first-degree murder and torture-related counts in the death of his 16-year-old stepson, and a 53-year-old former high school teacher in Cobb County, Georgia, charged alongside his wife with felony child cruelty and unlawful surveillance of their four children. The two men are not the same person.
The Illinois Case: Murder and Torture of a 16-Year-Old Stepson
In February 2025, a Sangamon County grand jury indicted Steven Griffin, 44, on eight felony counts tied to the death of his stepson, Daniel Garza. The counts include first-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery, endangering the life or health of a child, and abuse or criminal neglect of a person with a disability.1NPR Illinois. Stepfather Faces Murder Charges in Death of 16-Year-Old A separate indictment charges Griffin with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, grooming, sexual exploitation of a child, and distributing harmful material, all involving an unrelated 16-year-old girl in Springfield.2Yahoo News. Springfield Man Accused of Torturing, Killing Stepson
What the Indictment Alleges
Daniel, his mother Kristin Griffin, and Steven Griffin moved from Washington state to Springfield in November 2024, where the family lived out of hotels.3The State Journal-Register. Illinois Man Indicted on Murder, Torture Charges of 16-Year-Old Stepson On January 27, 2025, Steven and Kristin brought Daniel to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Court documents say he was unresponsive and not breathing, weighed 94 pounds, and had a body temperature of 86 degrees.1NPR Illinois. Stepfather Faces Murder Charges in Death of 16-Year-Old Medical staff documented a subdural hemorrhage, burns across his face, neck, and chest, bruising over most of his body, and fractures to his shoulder blade and ankle. Daniel died on February 7, 2025.4WAND-TV. Stepfather Indicted on Murder and Other Charges in Torture of 16-Year-Old
The murder count alleges Griffin caused Daniel’s death through blunt force injuries combined with a failure to provide adequate food and water.3The State Journal-Register. Illinois Man Indicted on Murder, Torture Charges of 16-Year-Old Stepson The aggravated battery count alleges he intentionally threw hot water on Daniel, causing the burns. Prosecutors described the act as “infliction of torture” carried out to increase or prolong suffering.4WAND-TV. Stepfather Indicted on Murder and Other Charges in Torture of 16-Year-Old The aggravated domestic battery count alleges Griffin struck Daniel in the back of the head with nunchucks and stomped on his ankle. Charging documents indicate Daniel had a disability; reporting has not specified its nature.
The Mother’s Charges
Kristin Griffin was arrested on February 19, 2025, and charged with endangering the life or health of a child and criminal neglect of a person with a disability in connection with Daniel’s death. She was also charged in a separate case with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a child.5WAND-TV. Mother Charged With Criminal Neglect in Murder Case Involving Tortured 16-Year-Old
Where the Case Stands
Steven Griffin was arrested on February 7, 2025, and has remained in the Sangamon County Jail.6Apple Valley News Now. Former Richland Teen Dies After Brutal Abuse by Stepfather, Officials Say He made his first court appearance on both indictments on February 20, 2025, with a follow-up hearing set for March 24, 2025.1NPR Illinois. Stepfather Faces Murder Charges in Death of 16-Year-Old No trial date, plea, or resolution had been announced as of the most recent reporting.
The Georgia Case: A Teacher and His Wife Accused of Confining Their Children
In a separate matter, Steven Griffin, 53, a former English teacher at North Cobb High School in Cobb County, Georgia, and his wife Anissa Griffin, also 53, were arrested at their Kennesaw home in late April 2025. Each was charged with one count of eavesdropping and surveillance and four counts of second-degree child cruelty, all felonies.7Law & Crime. Teacher and Wife Allegedly Kept Their Children Under Surveillance and Locked Up for Days at a Time A Cobb County school district spokesperson confirmed Griffin resigned after his arrest and had not returned to the school.8Atlanta News First. Former Cobb Teacher, Wife Accused of Denying Their Kids Food, Bathroom Access
What the Warrants Allege
Arrest warrants filed in Cobb County Magistrate Court allege the couple confined their four children to their bedrooms, installed door alarms to detect when a child opened a door, and placed video cameras in the children’s bedrooms without their knowledge or consent.9FOX 5 Atlanta. Cobb County Teacher, Wife Arrested for Alleged Child Abuse, Surveillance The children had to request permission through the cameras to leave their rooms, use the bathroom, or eat, and those requests were often denied.10WRDW. Former GA Teacher, Wife Accused of Denying Their Kids Food, Bathroom Access
The warrants describe specific allegations by child. The 15-year-old was reportedly forced to live in an unfinished basement with no heating or air conditioning, confined to his room for five consecutive days, denied bathroom access to the point of physical pain, and denied food. The 18-year-old reported being confined to her room for one to two months and locked out of the bathroom. The 14-year-old, 15-year-old, and 18-year-old all reported discomfort with being recorded continuously, particularly while changing clothes.9FOX 5 Atlanta. Cobb County Teacher, Wife Arrested for Alleged Child Abuse, Surveillance
The Statutes and the Response
Under Georgia law, second-degree child cruelty covers causing cruel or excessive physical or mental pain to a child under 18 through criminal negligence, and each count carries one to ten years in prison.11Justia. Georgia Code § 16-5-70 – Cruelty to Children The eavesdropping and surveillance statute makes it unlawful to observe, photograph, or record another person’s activities in a private place without the consent of all persons observed.12Justia. Georgia Code § 16-11-62 – Unlawful Eavesdropping or Surveillance
Both defendants were held roughly 48 hours and released in early May 2025 on $9,020 bond each. Their attorneys, Noah Pines for Anissa Griffin and Lawrence Zimmerman for Steven Griffin, issued a joint statement denying the allegations, calling the warrants “factually and legally deficient” and saying the couple intends to “fight these charges and clear their names.”[mfm]7Law & Crime. Teacher and Wife Allegedly Kept Their Children Under Surveillance and Locked Up for Days at a Time No further court dates or case outcomes had been announced as of the most recent reporting.
Keeping the Two Cases Straight
The Illinois Steven Griffin is 44, lives in Springfield, and faces first-degree murder and related torture and sexual-offense charges. The Georgia Steven Griffin is 53, lived in Kennesaw, taught at North Cobb High School, and faces child cruelty and unlawful surveillance charges along with his wife. They are different men, in different states, with different cases.