Pair Guilty of Abuse, Sex Crimes Against Woman, 82

Updated Thursday, Jan. 17

In an agreement with prosecuting attorneys to testify against Kent, Riddle received a five-year sentence, 60 days of which she was ordered to serve behind bars. She got credit for jail time already served and is set to serve the remainder of her sentence on probation, but will be required to "pay fines and complete assessment screenings," Thacker said.

Kent is set for a Feb. 5 sentencing hearing.

Original Report

A Cartersville man and woman accused of abusing and sexually assaulting an elderly woman were deemed guilty Monday in Bartow County Superior Court, Assistant District Attorney Mickey Thacker said.

A jury found Mark Steven Kent, 52, guilty of aggravated sodomy and sexual battery after his co-defendant, Thelma Helen Riddle, 59, pleaded guilty to abusing an elderly person and testified against Kent in a deal with prosecuting attorneys.

The duo was arrested in July, Riddle accused of hiring a homeless Kent, who had no training or experience, to care for her mother, 82, according to court documents, The Daily Tribune News reported. While Kent was accused of sexually abusing the victim, Riddle was suspected of twice striking her mother with objects, once because the elder woman requested a glass of milk.

Riddle was jailed a second time in October, accused of visiting her mother at a local nursing home in violation of a no-contact order related to the Family Violence Act.

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