Climax Mayor and Wife Arrested on Child Molestation and Cruelty Charges

Joseph Kelly, 38, the current mayor of Climax, Georgia, has been arrested and charged with two counts of child molestation. His wife, Natalie Kelly, 44, also of Climax, faces two counts of cruelty to children in the second degree.

The arrests followed a request for assistance from the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The investigation was launched into allegations that Joseph Kelly had sexual contact with multiple minors. Both Joseph and Natalie Kelly were taken into custody the same day by GBI agents and Decatur County Sheriff’s Office investigators and booked into the Decatur County Jail.

Joseph Kelly is also employed by the Decatur County School District; however, authorities state there is no indication at this time that the alleged acts are related to his employment.

The GBI investigation remains active and ongoing. Upon completion, the case will be handed over to the South Georgia Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.