Young Harris Woman Arrested on Methamphetamine Charges Following Husband’s Overdose and Vehicle Wreck in Clay County

Clay County Sheriff’s Office

Press Release

On 08/20/25 around 3:00 AM, Clay County Dispatch received a call from GARMIN that assistance was needed concerning an unresponsive male located at a set of coordinates that translated to a remote section of US Forest Service near Perry Gap in Clay County. Officers with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Clay County Fire & Rescue responded to the area. Responders were met by Rebecca Ann Beard, 26 years of age from Young Harris, GA, at the intersection of US Hwy 64 East and Old US Hwy 64 East on the mountain.

Rebecca led Responders to a remote area of US Forest Service to a camp site where her husband Logan Tyler Beard, 29 years of age from Young Harris, was located. A friend, Steven Anderson, was with Logan. Logan was unresponsive.  Rebbecca reported that Logan had been using marijuana and methamphetamine. EMS personnel began administering CPR as well as NARCAN to Logan. Logan was transported to Angel Medical Hospital in Franklin for treatment.

Later this same day around 1:26 PM, Clay County Lt. Tyler Faggard responded to a one vehicle wreck at 2853 NC Hwy 175 in Hayesville.

Lt. Faggard found a black mini van parked sideways in a yard at this location. Rebecca Beard was found to be driving the van. Rebecca told Lt. Faggard that her husband had overdosed the previous night and she had not been to sleep since that time. Rebecca said she fell asleep while driving and wrecked. NC Trooper Eric Watson soon arrived at the scene and began administering roadside impairment tests for Rebbecca. While looking for the keys in the van, Lt. Faggard found a small baggy containing a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Rebecca was arrested and charged with felony Possession of Methamphetamine and subsequently given a $10,000 secured bond for her release.