Riverdale Man Sentenced to Life Plus 69 Years for Child Sex Crimes

Clayton County District Attorney Tasha M. Mosley has announced the conviction and sentencing of Darnell Ronald Kelly for multiple felony offenses related to the sexual abuse of a minor family member.

Kelly was found guilty by a jury on April 10, 2025, of Aggravated Child Molestation, Incest, Statutory Rape, and Electronically Furnishing Obscene Material to Minors, following a trial that began on April 8, 2025.

The investigation began on July 28, 2018, when the Clayton County Police Department was alerted by a local hospital about a report of sexual abuse. A forensic interview revealed that Kelly had been sexually abusing the minor victim at a residence in Riverdale, Georgia, for several months. The victim’s statements were corroborated by distinctive marks on Kelly’s body.

Kelly fled the jurisdiction on the same day the initial report was made and was apprehended in Kentucky by the Boyd County Sheriff’s Office on April 29, 2021.

Judge Geronda V. Carter presided over the trial. On [Insert Date of Sentencing from Article, if available, otherwise use “a subsequent date”], Kelly received a sentence of life in prison plus 69 years to be served in custody, followed by one year of probation.

District Attorney Mosley commented on the conviction, stating, “We hope this conviction brings a sense of peace and closure to all those affected by the defendant’s actions. I commend my office for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in securing justice on behalf of the victim and their family.”

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Brooks and Assistant District Attorney Evan Hansinger led the prosecution. Major Case Investigator Chad Watkins and Victim Advocate Nerissa Sims also played crucial roles in the case.