HART COUNTY, Ga. — A Hart County couple has been arrested and charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged sex crimes involving children, authorities confirmed.

According to the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, investigators were notified by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on August 27 about a possible sexual assault that may have taken place in Hart County. The case was then turned over to Hart County investigators.

On Friday, the sheriff’s office confirmed the arrests of Colby Jeffery Thornton and his wife, Kattie Scarlett Thornton. Both face multiple felony charges.

Colby Thornton has been charged with:

• Statutory rape
• Aggravated sodomy
• Aggravated child molestation
• Child molestation

Kattie Thornton has been charged with:

• Child molestation
• Aggravated child molestation
• Aggravated sodomy

Authorities have not released further details about the allegations, citing the active and ongoing investigation.

The sheriff’s office said updates will be provided as more information becomes available.