Kentucky – Marriage is typically a time for going on a honeymoon, but a Pike County couple went to jail instead, after police learned they allegedly lied on their marriage license about being related.
Kentucky State Police received an anonymous tip that George Swiney, 52, and Amy Dalton, 49, both of Elkhorn City, were married last month, despite being first cousins.
A trooper was able to obtain a family tree showing the two are first cousins, as well as a copy of their marriage license on which they said they were not related.
Under Kentucky law, it is illegal for people who are more closely related than second cousins to marry each other.
Both were arrested Saturday and charged with marriage of relatives, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
Upon conviction, the marriage would also be ruled void, and further attempts of the couple to live together could result in additional charges carrying a penalty of up to a year in jail.
Dalton and Swiney has since been released from jail on unsecured bonds. They are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 15.
