Former Cartersville Police Evidence Custodian Accused of Stealing Money From Evidence Room

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. – A former Cartersville police officer and evidence custodian has been arrested after a Georgia Bureau of Investigation probe into money missing from the police department’s evidence room.

The GBI arrested Donna Jean Kelley, 61, of Cartersville, on charges of violation of oath, first-degree forgery and felony theft by taking.

The investigation began May 27 after the Cartersville Police Department asked the GBI to investigate missing money from its evidence room.

During the investigation, GBI agents determined Kelley stole money from the evidence room while she was employed by the Cartersville Police Department as an officer and evidence custodian, according to the agency.

The GBI did not disclose how much money was missing, how long the suspected theft occurred or provide details about the evidence that led investigators to Kelley. The agency also did not explain the conduct underlying the first-degree forgery charge.

Kelley was booked into the Bartow County Jail on Sept. 24.

Anyone with information about the investigation can contact the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Calhoun at 706-624-1424.