Former Police officer arrested after stealing money from evidence room

A Georgia woman who worked as a police officer and evidence custodian has been arrested after she reportedly stole money from the police department's evidence room.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said 61-year-old Donna Jean Kelley of Cartersville was arrested on Sept. 24 and charged with violation of oath, first-degree forgery, and felony theft by taking.

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

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

The GBI did not say exactly how much money was stolen or how they connected Kelley to it. Additional details about what Kelley exactly forged were not mentioned either.

Kelley was booked into the Bartow County Jail on Sept. 24, according to the GBI. Her charges include violation of oath, first-degree forgery, and felony theft by taking.

The charges could carry significant penalties if Kelley is convicted. 

Georgia law allows a sentence of one to five years for violation of a public officer's oath.