Police have arrested a 21-year-old mother from Kentucky state of the US following the death of her 17-month-old girl from injuries consistent with physical and sexual abuse.
According to reports, Erica Lawson, who is a resident of Mount Vernon, was arrested for second-degree manslaughter and first-degree criminal abuse against a child under the age of 12 years.
She was also charged with first-degree wanton endangerment (a type of crime involving conduct that is wrongful and reckless) and failure to report child neglect, reports Fox News.
The outlet quoted Bell County Commonwealth Attorney Lisa Fugate, who spoke to WATE, stating that the child showed signs of sexual and physical abuse when she was admitted to a hospital on July 28.
She was later placed on life support.
Unfortunately, the child succumbed to her injuries.
The Middlesboro Police Department initiated a probe into the incident and arrested Lawson on Sunday night following an interrogation.
She was taken to Bell County Detention Center after being arrested.
She is held on a $1,000,000 bond.
