A Hopkinsville mother is facing a felony child abuse charge after police say she locked her nine-year-old daughter outside their home for roughly 17 hours overnight, unaware the girl couldn't get back in. Ashland Killebrew called 911 the next morning after waking up and realizing she couldn't find her daughter, according to court records.
According to WKRN News 2, Killebrew had returned home with her child from a party at about 10 p.m. last Thursday. Police say she believed her daughter was inside the house when she locked the door and fell asleep. The girl told officers she banged on the door multiple times but could not get anyone to let her in, according to the Hopkinsville Police Department. Separately, WHOP Radio reported that Hopkinsville police said Killebrew was intoxicated when she locked the door and fell asleep after returning from the party.
Overnight temperatures in Hopkinsville dropped to roughly 58 degrees that Thursday night into Friday morning, according to weather history compiled by AccuWeather, with clear skies and light winds recorded through the hours the child was locked outside. Hopkinsville police helped locate the child after Killebrew's 911 call the following morning, per the station's report.
Felony Charge Carries Up To Five Years
Christian County jail records show Killebrew was booked on a charge of second-degree criminal abuse or neglect of a child under 12, with bond set at $5,000. Under Kentucky Revised Statute 508.110, that charge applies when a parent or custodian wantonly subjects a child 12 or younger to a situation creating a substantial risk of serious physical injury or cruel confinement, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Second-degree criminal abuse is a Class D felony in Kentucky, the lowest tier of felony offense in the state, carrying a potential prison sentence of one to five years upon conviction, WHOP Radio reported. Kentucky law provides a specific statutory exception to proving subjective awareness when voluntary intoxication is involved; wanton conduct remains legally distinct from accidental negligence or intentional physical abuse.
Recent Court Ruling Lowers Bar For Proving Harm
A February 2025 Kentucky Supreme Court ruling in Cabinet v. K.O. reversed the Court of Appeals and reinstated the trial court's order, according to legal analysis from Bowman Legal Group. The Court of Appeals had reversed the trial court after finding no actual injury or clearly defined risk of harm.
Killebrew was booked at the Christian County Detention Center.
It remains unclear whether the girl has been placed with a temporary guardian or when Killebrew is next due in Christian County District Court.
