Written by: E. George
Published April 19, 2024 @ 9:45 PM ET
BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. – On March 31, 2024, officers from the Woodstock and Cartersville Police Departments executed a search warrant at Tifney Dailey‘s Woodstock home searching for a man reported missing nearly one year ago. They arrested Dailey and charged her with hindering the apprehension of a criminal when they discovered she had allegedly been hiding a wanted man, James Eric Kelly, from authorities.
Kelly, the father of seven children, was previously charged with aggravated assault for strangling a woman. He had an active felony bench warrant for his arrest for failing to show up to court to answer to his charges. He reportedly devised a plan to ‘hide’ from police to avoid jail time by pretending to be missing. He told his family he met a woman online and traveled to meet her near Highway 20, and then he “disappeared.”
After several months of family and friends pleading for his safe return, a family member received a letter stating that Kelly needed help; however, it did not include a return address. A short while later, a relative received a phone call claiming that Kelly was tied up in a woman’s basement. Friends and family were desperate for help and answers.
Kelly’s family filed a missing persons report with the Cartersville Police Department, and a $1,000 reward was offered for his safe return. His relatives shared numerous posts on social media pleading for answers about his disappearance and community resources were used in the search to bring Kelly home safely.
According to sources, after nearly a year, Kelly is said to have contacted a family member and informed them of his whereabouts and that he was not actually missing after all. After several days, the source turned him into police.
Both parties were taken into custody. Dailey was released on bond, and Kelly was transported to the Bartow County Jail, where he is awaiting a new superior court date.