MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Ray Grogan announced today that Mark Kelley has been found guilty of both counts of sexual assault against a four-year-old child following a two-day jury trial. Kelley now faces a potential life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.
The case began on October 24, 2024, when the victim’s grandmother reported to law enforcement that her grandson had disclosed being raped by Kelley. The child revealed that he and Kelley shared a “secret” that he was not supposed to tell anyone.
The following day, Marion Police Officer Matt Mauldin conducted an interview with Kelley at his home on Blaine Avenue, which also served as an in-home daycare run by Kelley’s then-wife. During the interview, Kelley admitted that the child had been in his home and bedroom but denied all allegations of wrongdoing. He described the victim as an “angry” child and suggested that the accusations were fueled by animosity from the child’s grandmother, whom he had previously worked with at Whirlpool. Kelley also placed blame on the child’s mother for the allegations.
On October 30, 2024, the victim underwent a forensic interview at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he consistently identified Kelley as the perpetrator and described the abusive conduct he experienced.
As a result of the investigation, the Marion County Grand Jury indicted Kelley on one count of Rape, a first-degree felony, and one count of Gross Sexual Imposition, a third-degree felony.
The trial, presided over by Judge Todd Anderson, featured testimony from the victim’s grandmother, a forensic interviewer from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Officer Mauldin. The jury also viewed portions of the victim’s recorded interview and an interview with Kelley.
After deliberations, the jury convicted Kelley on both charges. Judge Anderson ordered him to be remanded to jail pending sentencing.
“This case began because a grandmother listened carefully to a child and took his words seriously,” Grogan stated. “The victim, only four years old, demonstrated remarkable courage in speaking to trusted adults, which ultimately brought this case before a jury.”
Grogan commended the Marion Police Department, the forensic interviewer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Assistant Prosecutors John Scott and Parker Schwartz for their professional handling of the case.
“Cases involving very young children require patience, care, and disciplined investigative work,” Grogan emphasized. “Officer Mauldin, the forensic interviewer, and our prosecution team approached this case with the seriousness it warranted from the outset.”
Grogan also expressed gratitude to Scott and Schwartz for their exemplary efforts during the trial. “This verdict reflects careful preparation and a clear presentation of the evidence,” he concluded. “When a child is victimized, our office will do everything within the law to seek accountability and protect the vulnerable.”
Mark Kelley is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.