A Rockmart couple is headed to court after being arrested and indicted on elder abuse charges.

Bonnie and Roy Pennington, of 204 Plum St., Rockmart, were arrested Aug. 10. Bonnie, 57, faces charges of exploitation of an elderly person, felony theft by deception, simple battery and simple batter of someone 65 years old or older, all under the Family Violence Act.

Roy, 61, is charged with exploitation of an elderly person and theft by deception, records indicate.

Both have been released on bonds of $50,000 each, according to police.

“They were supposed to be taking care of a lady, looking after her best interest, but they were using her cash resources,” said Rockmart Police Department Det. David Gowens.

He said evidence shows the Penningtons used $50,000 of the victim’s money for the purchase of a home. The victim was told she would be put on the title, but that didn’t happen, Gowens said.

“The matter is under investigation. There could be additional charges,” he said, adding that some charges could stem from events in another county.

Gowens said this was a slightly unusual case because he went before the Polk County Grand Jury for indictments before making the arrests. He said the two were technically arrested on a bench warrant in the process with felony, and misdemeanor charges added later.

He said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisted in the case because it involved another county.