KY - Erica Lawson Charged in 17 month old daughter Elena's Death by Severe Abuse including SA, Middlesboro, 28 July 2023

[tlcya]

Police in Kentucky have arrested one person and are looking for a second suspect in a toddler abuse case that prosecutors and investigators say is the worst case they’ve seen in someone so young.
[snip]
Prosecutors have said the baby girl was sexually abused. Meanwhile, detectives said they have been tracking down hundreds of leads in their search for the second suspect and have collected DNA from many of the people they’ve interviewed and sent it off for analysis.
[snip]
“The mother and father were not together. The father is not a suspect at this time, but that could change,” he said.

Middlesboro Police Chief Petie Gilbert told WVLT that a family member reported the abuse in early July.

 

[tlcya]

According to a report by local media, the child was raped and beaten, she was brain dead by the time she reached the hospital. The Middlesboro Police Department started an investigation to determine who was responsible for the abuse.

The accused was interviewed by police and was arrested on Sunday night. Lawson was taken to Bell County Detention Center, she is held on a $1,000,000 bond.
US Woman Arrested For Manslaughter After Her Sexually Abused Toddler Dies

Police said the child's uncle went to authorities several weeks ago after suspecting that someone burned her. However, police "couldn't find the kid and the uncle did not know where the kid was at the time."

Police said the child's father, Trey Hembree, was not charged with any crime, saying the two were not together.
Officials using DNA to identify additional suspects in 17-month-old's death

Kentucky mother arrested after sexually abused toddler dies of severe injuries

 

[winningx3]

I'm shocked this is not getting more sleuthing. This is a terrible case. I cannot believe they have not arrested the monster or monsters who did this. I am finding very little information about who may be responsible.

 

[Jsizzle]

This. Is. Horrific.

 

[tlcya]

Elena Roseleigh Hembree – 17 months, from Middlesboro, Kentucky, sadly left us on July 30, 2023. She is survived by her father, Trey Wayne Hembree; mother, Erica Leigh Lawson; sister, HM; grandparents, Tim Hembree, Violet Collinsworth, Tina Lawson, and Jamie Swanigan; great grandparents, Cowboy and Bee Hembree and Phyllis Mason; aunt, Tequila England; uncles Tyler Hembree and L.J. Lawson; great aunt, Lora Mitchell; and many other special relatives. She is preceded in death by her great grandmother, Shawnee Mitchell. There will be a prayer vigil in memory of Elena on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 7:00 pm at the Middlesboro City Parking Lot. Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve Elena’s Family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.gentrygriffey.com
Obituary for Elena Roseleigh Hembree | Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel & Crematory

[note I redacted minor sibling name]

MIDDLESBORO, KY. (WVLT) - Just days after investigators announced 17 month old Elena died from injuries stemming from “severe abuse,” her father spoke to WVLT for the first time.

“She was a great kid. She was happy with everything and anything; she never caused any problems. She was the most loving little girl. She was definitely daddy’s girl,” said Trey Hembree.
[snip]
During the vigil, the Commonwealth’s attorney Lisa Fugate said she’s seeking the toughest possible punishment for those responsible for Elena’s death.

“If I can seek the death penalty, you better believe I will,” said Fugate.
‘She was definitely daddy’s girl’ | Middlesboro father who lost infant speaks at packed vigil

On Aug. 4, the Middlesboro Police Department said they were using DNA test results to identify other suspects in the young girl's death. Fugate said they were able to expedite six DNA samples and results are expected to return in as soon as three weeks.
Mother waives preliminary hearing in case of 17-month-old's death, sexual assault, in Bell Co.

 

[Dre]

How disgusting.
I’m actually surprised she was brought into the hospital instead of hidden like in many of the cases we’ve seen here.
I’m wondering if the woman charged used sex trading/drugs, bringing predators in her home and hence the several tests for DNA? My apologies for the slight leap in my speculation, don’t mean to be offensive or selacious.

 

[tlcya]

How disgusting.
I’m actually surprised she was brought into the hospital instead of hidden like in many of the cases we’ve seen here.
I’m wondering if the woman charged used sex trading/drugs, bringing predators in her home and hence the several tests for DNA? My apologies for the slight leap in my speculation, don’t mean to be offensive or selacious.

I too wondered if mom's lifestyle exposed little Elena to unsavory sorts. That is the only reason I can think of that would require DNA testing on multiple possible subjects. Poor wee princess.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Now they are petitioning for 'Elena's Law.' The community is asking Kentucky lawmakers to raise the bar regarding the extend of punishment for child abuse.

Hailey and Haven Lawless, two sisters from Middlesboro, created the petition. More than 2,400 Kentuckians have signed it this far.

"Statistics show 5.1% of people who are sex offenders and abusers once they get released, within three years, they are back in prison again with a new sex crime," Lawless said. "They should be put behind bars and never to see the light of day in."

The petition is asking lawmakers to include the death penalty for offenders of children before the age of 12. With Elena's death, it resonated in the community and for some it hurts a little more.

Leatha Givens lives near the house where Elena allegedly died. She passes by the house almost everyday and, according to her, that part of her neighborhood is now traumatizing.
"As a mother, I can't take that in," Givens said. "I'll look at [my daughter] and that just breaks my heart."

A ''No Justice No Peace'' sign underlined Elena's memorial photos. Last weekend hundreds gathered for her candlelight vigil. Local restaurants donated food and released lit balloons in the sky.

"In Middlesboro, I've never seen something so heinous," Justin Howard, a Middlesboro resident, said. "But I've also never seen such support for a family, a child, or someone that's a victim of a crime."

To sign the Elena's Law petition, people must be over 18-years-old, a Kentucky resident and registered to vote.

Elena's Law: Middlesboro community petitions for harsher child abuse laws as they demand justice in 17-month old baby's death

The Middlesboro community rallies behind 17-month-old baby who died after she was abused. A petition asks lawmakers to raise the bar when punishing offenders.

www.wbir.com

 

[Beth11311]

All for petitions and such, but it’s too late for precious Elena. If the uncle reported abuse (burning) why didn’t investigators do more to track down mom? I can’t imagine what this sweet baby girl suffered, and sadly doubt that it was the first time. Just the first time it killed her. There’s a lot of expletives I’d like to use right now. Babies are born pure, untainted by the world around them. They just know love. And it sounds like Elena didn’t get much. My heart aches.

 

[Beth11311]

Mom waived right to preliminary hearing. On to the grand jury. Bail set at $1 million. At least they aren’t playing around.

Mother charged in child’s death, case heads to grand jury - Middlesboro News

STAFF REPORT Erica Lawson was scheduled to have her preliminary hearing in the case of her connection to the death of her 17-month-old daughter Elena Hembree today . Lawson was charged with second-degree manslaughter, failure to report child neglect/abuse, first-degree criminal abuse against a...

www.middlesboronews.com

 

[Beth11311]

Surprised this case hasn’t gained more attention, honestly. Have we become so desensitized to the horrors committed against babies that we fail to notice anymore? Or conversely are we so ill from so many of them that we simply can’t bare to look. I feel the need to “bear witness” to these tiny angels…once they disappear from the media, the only ones left to grieve them (if there are any) are often few. Her life MATTERED! Ugh. Sorry guys guess emotions are getting to me today.

 

[SandyToes]

MPD: Father of 17-month-old killed in Middlesboro arrested after he was found with marijuana in a Walmart

Police said they found marijuana in a bag belonging to Trey Hembree, inside a Middlesboro Walmart.

www.wbir.com

 

[Spartygirl]

This is soooo sad.
I cant imagine a 17 month old being subjected to this.
It is Horrific.

 

[QB2022]

This is barbaric

 

[tlcya]

MPD: Father of 17-month-old killed in Middlesboro arrested after he was found with marijuana in a Walmart

Police said they found marijuana in a bag belonging to Trey Hembree, inside a Middlesboro Walmart.

www.wbir.com

honestly, this shouldn't even be news (possession of canabis). The only reason it is is because his beautiful baby was murdered by someone else while in the care of her custodial mother. Praying for Trey as he processes a grief I could never conceive of.

 

[tlcya]

The grand jury returned an indictment on Aug. 22, formally charging Lawson for murder, failure to report child abuse, criminal abuse, and wanton endangerment.
[snip]
Lawson will stay in custody on a $1 million bond. Commonwealth Attorney Lisa Fugate said they could now push for the death penalty against Lawson. Kentucky has 26 people on death row and has only executed three people since 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Bell County mother indicted for murder in case of 17-month-old's death, sexual assault

May her mother rot.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Erica Lawson was arraigned Tuesday morning in Bell Circuit Court. During the hearing, a Notice of Aggravating Circumstance was filed in her case, according to Bell County Commonwealth Attorney Lisa Fugate. This informs Lawson that the Commonwealth now seeks to impose the death penalty.

Death penalty sought in case against Kentucky mother charged in 17-month-old’s death

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Commonwealth of Kentucky now plans to seek the death penalty against the woman charged in the death of a 17-month-old. Erica Lawson was arraigned Tuesday morning in Be…

www.wate.com

 

[tlcya]

Good, if ever someone met the agg circs qualification it is this waste of oxygen. How that baby girl suffered

 

[fred&edna]

Good, if ever someone met the agg circs qualification it is this waste of oxygen. How that baby girl suffered

AMEN!


And, on a weird note, I attended school with the only female currently on Ky's death row inmate list.

 

[Jw192]

Wow I'm super surprised that this case hasn't got more following.

How many DNA samples were on that tiny girl?! Christ alive.