The jury agreed that Barnett was guilty of placing his finger down the throat of an 8-year-old boy until he choked, and of abusing the boy's 6-year-old sister.
Barnett was immediately taken into custody and is scheduled to be sentenced April 19 pending a pre-trial investigation.
The defense for Barnett opened Friday morning with closing statements. Jason Hood told jurors that his client was innocent of the charges.
"When you boil it all down there are two adorable, yet highly suggestive children who are not credible," Hood said.
In addition Hood told them that key witnesses were missing from the state's list of people to testify, mainly the prosecuting investigator.
Assistant District Attorney Jana Allen disputed what Hood said, saying it's not necessary that every witness testify.
"We don't have to produce five witnesses for one charge," she said. "There is no magical amount of evidence that has to be presented."
Allen told jurors the case is important to both sides, and she agreed with Hood about the kids being adorable.
"They are adorable children, but they are adorable children that have been through a whole heck of a lot," Allen said.
The children, who are related to Barnett by marriage, testified earlier in the week recounting the incidents stated in the indictment.
Between Jan. 1 and June 20, 2008, Barnett is accused of forcing a female child under the age of 14 to perform oral acts on him. He was found not guilty on those charges involving the then 4-year-old. However, a jury agreed with the indictment and evidence presented that said Barnett caused mental pain to a then 6-year-old by placing his fingers down the boy's throat causing him to gag. Barnett was found guilty on two counts of cruelty to children in the second degree. The crime is a felony and he faces up to 10 years in prison, according to Judge Shepherd Howell.
Melanie Barnett also was on trial, charged with two counts of cruelty to children. The indictment stated that Barnett acted with criminal negligence by knowing the children were being abused and failing to act on their behalf. The jury found her not guilty on those charges.
Meanwhile, two women were arrested after attacking a Bartow County deputy outside the courtroom shortly after the verdict was read. Emily Elizabeth Hartline, 32, of 352 Beaver Road, Summerville, was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of an officer. Another woman, who was a witness for the state in this case, Melissa Marie Lane, 55, of 498 Cummings Road, Trion, was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.
The women were relatives of the children involved in this case.