Mayor, wife accused of child sex crimes, authorities say

CLIMAX, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) - A mayor and his wife have been charged with child sex crimes in Georgia, according to authorities.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, 38-year-old Joseph Kelly, the mayor of Climax, Georgia, was arrested and charged with two counts of child molestation.

His wife, Natalie Kelly, 44, was also arrested and charged with two counts of cruelty to children in the second degree.

On Saturday, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to help with an investigation into allegations that Joseph Kelly was having sexual with several minors.

Joseph and Natalie Kelly were arrested later that day, according to the GBI.

The GBI said that Joseph Kelly is also employed by the Decatur County School District.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Both were booked into the Decatur County Jail, but were later released on bond.

Joseph Kelly was released after posting bond for $55,400, and Natalie Kelly was released after posting bond for $11,400.

Copyright 2025 WALB via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.