Kentucky Mom Arrested For Physically, Sexually Abusing Baby

A 21-year-old woman from Kentucky has been arrested on Sunday, July 30, after her baby reportedly died from injuries that were consistent with physical and sexual abuse.

She was identified as Erica Lawson who is now facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and first-degree criminal abuse against a child under 12 years old, Fox News reported.

Aside from that, Lawson was also charged with first-degree wanton endangerment and failure to report child neglect.

“That somebody could be that sick out there to let this go on,” Caley Ayers, from the Middlesboro Police Department, stated in a report by WBIR. “I have seen some kids like that, but not that this age.”

According to Bell County Commonwealth Attorney, Lisa Fugate, the child was only 17 months old and showed signs of sexual and physical abuse when she was admitted to a hospital on July 28. The toddler was placed on life support but was unable to recover due to the severity of the injuries.

After it was reported by WRIL-FM that the child was raped and beaten, the Middlesboro Police Department started an investigation to determine who was responsible for the abuse.

The 21-year-old was interviewed by authorities and arrested on Sunday night, the outlet added. Lawson is now detained at the Bell County Detention Center where she is being held on a $1,000,000 bond.

The Middlesboro Police Department and Bell County authorities are actively investigating the incident.