A 69-year-old Austell woman is now in prison after admitting in court to beating her husband and leaving him lying on the floor with his injuries.

Police say that Barbara Joanne Long used a three-hole punch, a boot, and her fists and feet to beat her then-71-year-old husband William Long over three days.

She then left him in their living room with multiple fractures, waiting two days before calling 911.

Police say the couple, who had been married for more than two decades, had been arguing about marital issues.

"This was a tough case, with strong factors in aggravation and mitigation," said Senior ADA Jason Marbutt, who prosecuted the case and also is chairman of the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force. "Justice was done."

In court, Long pleaded guilty to one count of elder neglect, four counts of elder abuse, and three counts of aggravated assault and family violence.


A judge sentenced Long to five years in prison and up to five more years on probation.