A mother from Mount Vernon, Kentucky, was taken into custody on Sunday following the death of her toddler, who had suffered injuries consistent with physical and sexual abuse, police said.
Erica Lawson, 21, is now facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and first-degree criminal abuse against a child under 12. Additionally, she has been charged with first-degree wanton endangerment and failure to report child neglect.
According to Bell County Commonwealth Attorney Lisa Fugate, the 17-month-old child exhibited clear signs of both sexual and physical abuse when she was admitted to a hospital on July 28. Despite being placed on life support, the severity of the injuries was insurmountable, and the child couldn’t recover.
Reports from WRIL-FM reveal the horrifying nature of the abuse. The child, who was reportedly subjected to sexual assault and brutal beatings, was declared brain-dead and succumbed to her injuries on Sunday.
Lawson was extensively questioned by the police and subsequently arrested on Sunday night. She is currently being held at the Bell County Detention Center, with her bail set at $1,000,000.
The investigation is ongoing.
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