Kentucky woman accused of abusing and strangling 5-year-old child
03/22/2023 3:01 pm PDT
MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. (TCD) -- A 37-year-old woman was recently indicted for the alleged ongoing abuse and strangulation of a 5-year-old child.
According to a news release from the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, on Feb. 13, an investigation into the possible child abuse was launched after an elementary school staff member saw marks on the 5-year-old victim.
The school’s medical staff reportedly determined the marks were from abuse, and they noticed "severe bruising, burst blood vessels, and other evidence of abuse."
The 5-year-old child was subsequently transported to the hospital for treatment.
The Sheriff’s Office said detectives "interviewed the parents and the other children living in the household, conducted search warrants on the residence and electronic devices," as well as "surveillance evidence" and concluded the child suffered "ongoing abuse and strangulation."
The evidence was presented to a grand jury March 17, and the Sheriff’s Office said Amber Patton was indicted on charges of first-degree strangulation and first-degree criminal abuse of a child 12 or under. She was arrested March 21.
The criminal abuse charge is punishable by 10 to 20 years, while the strangulation charge carries a potential sentence of five to 10 years in prison.
The Sheriff’s Office did not specify the suspect’s relationship to the 5-year-old victim.
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