Kentucky has some of the weakest child protection laws in the nation — and children are suffering and dying because of it.

Right now under Kentucky law:

Capital punishment protections apply only to children under 12 (Kimber’s Law).
Manslaughter of a child can carry as little as 5 years in prison.
Severe abuse can be charged at lower felony levels, even when a child is tortured, burned, or strangled.
Non-abusing parents who knowingly allow abuse may face only misdemeanors.
Convicted child abusers can still petition family court for custody after release.
These laws have failed real children in our communities:

 • Bryanna Chapman (2022): Convicted of criminal abuse of a child. Despite this, she is now on the verge of regaining joint custody of the same child she abused.
 
• Jayden Spicer (Breathitt County, 2025): Killed by his mother and stepfather. Mother’s initial charge: second-degree manslaughter — only a 5–10 year penalty.
 
• Franklin County Brothers (2025): Two teens, 13 and 15, died in a fire allegedly intentionally set by their father, Dustin Fields.

 • Lexington Infant (2025): Baby’s body found hidden in a closet trash bag. Mother, Laken Snelling, charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering.
 
• Earlington Infant (Hopkins County, 2025): 10-month-old infant found dead. Mother, Samantha Stagner, and boyfriend, Dayton Mason, charged with first-degree manslaughter.

 • Louisville Hammer Attack (2025): 6-year-old girl suffered brain bleeds and fractures after her mother struck her in the head with a hammer.
 
• Leitchfield Daycare Assault (2025): Worker ripped a one-year-old’s hair from her scalp.
 
• Adair County Detention Case (2025): Teacher sexually abused a juvenile inmate and solicited him to kill her husband.

 • Mercer County Neglect Case (2025): Children found in “the worst conditions ever seen” by police.
 
• Madison County Neglect Case (2025): Toddler locked in urine-soaked room; house filled with filth and hazards.
 
• Harrodsburg Trafficking (2025): Larry Coffman sentenced to 40 years for trafficking minors.

• CSAM Arrests (2025): Austin Beard (Adair County) and Anthony Kirkpatrick (Logan County) charged with distributing child sexual abuse material of minors under 12.
 
• Operation Safe Online Summer (2025): 11 child victims identified in statewide sting.

 • Florence Daycare (2025): Worker berated and roughly handled a 3-year-old boy; cameras did not record.

In Leitchfield, a worker ripped hair from a 1-year-old’s head. Many Kentucky daycares still use cameras that don’t even record.
 
• Michael Mills (Knox County, 2025): Beat his son in the head until the child vomited and screamed, “I can’t breathe.”
 
• Louisville 5-Week-Old Infant (2025): Steven Harris allegedly struck a 5-week-old in the head with a gaming controller; the baby was hospitalized at Norton Children’s with bilateral skull fractures and a brain bleed (near-fatal inflicted child physical abuse).

Donald Stoner, 31, member of a local Mennonite community in Allen County, KY, was arrested for sexual abuse involving a juvenile relative. He was charged with third-degree rape and incest.

•Laron D. Gardner, age 24 of Louisville, KY, was arrested and charged with the murder of his five year old son, after pushing the child down the stairs, killing him. Investigators discovered Gardner had also kicked the victim’s 4-year-old sister in the chest while she was lying on the floor.

•Eric Coffman – Harrosburg, KY - Age 38 faces multiple counts, including first-degree criminal abuse, possession of child pornography, and several drug-related charges. Ashley Coffman, age 33, was also arrested and is charged with first-degree criminal abuse.

•Brandon Farley, 42, of Harlan, KY was found guilty on two counts of production of child pornography by a federal jury in London, Kentucky.  He sexually abused a minor in his care and took photos as documentation. 

•Randa Williams, 29, of Pikeville, KY.  Charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence (first degree), endangering the welfare of a minor, failure to produce insurance, failure to maintain insurance, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, menacing, and resisting arrest. 

• Jeffery Stinson, 60, of Scottsville, KY. Authorities discovered electronic devices containing illegal material involving a minor. He was charged with Promoting Human Trafficking and Possession of Matter Portraying Sexual Performance by a Minor

•Randy Caudill, 68, of Hazard, KY - He exchanged sexually explicit messages over 29 days with what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, actually a decoy account operated by Kentucky Predo Pursuit. Charge: Procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.

•Monty C. Salyer II, -Hazard, KY - former Hazard Middle School teacher - Charges: First-degree sexual abuse by a person in a position of authority / special trust, for sexual contact with a minor under 18, and Tampering with physical evidence (destroying or deleting social media apps/devices that would have been used as evidence). 

• Donnie Shepherd, age 64; Elizabeth Hamilton Shepherd, age 32 — both of Prestonsburg, Floyd County. Conditions in which two young children were living were described as deplorable. Hair follicle tests showed possible exposure to methamphetamine and Suboxone. Charges:  two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.

• Cindi Britt (mother), Billy Hart (boyfriend) — Wayne County, KY -  both charged with two counts of first-degree criminal abuse after beating their two children with a wooden paddle.

•Victims: Kayla Blake, age 37 (mother)  and Kennedi McWhorter, age 13 (daughter) – both were murdered by Joshua Cottrell. Cottrell was charged with two counts of murder and tampering with physical evidence. Under current KY law, he could not face capital punishment for the murder of Kennedi because she is over the age of 12.  Jayden’s law will fix that by extending the age to include all children under the age of 18.

•Mykill D. Puckett, 26, of Webster County, Kentucky – Charges: First-degree rape (victim under 12 years old) , First-degree assault, First-degree criminal abuse (victim under 12), First-degree wanton endangerment.  Sentenced to 30 years in prison. This case shows multiple overlapping serious crimes: rape, abuse, assault, wanton endangerment. Under existing law, some of these are felonies already, but Jayden’s Law would strengthen the highest penalty statutes (aggravated criminal abuse, etc.) in cases like this. Jayden’s Law would mandate permanent loss of custody and visitation rights for such convicted abusers, no restoration possible. Under Jayden’s Law, Puckett should automatically be classified as a violent offender, aligning punishment and stigma with the gravity of the offense. Jayden’s Law makes certain that the worst types of child exploitation, rape, and abuse are in the highest felony class, with no opportunity for light sentencing for heinous acts.

•Ross Hurt, 35, of Hazard, KY -  Arrested September 20, 2025, following a sting operation.  Hurt believed he was talking to a 14-year-old girl (actually a decoy).
• Hurt sent sexually explicit texts, images, and videos.
• He requested nude photographs.
• Attempted to meet the girl in Wabaco, KY, where he was arrested.
Charges:
• 42 counts — unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor into sexual/prohibited acts.
• 1 count — attempted possession/viewing of sexual performance by a minor.
• 10 counts — attempted unlawful transaction with a minor (illegal sex act, under 18).
• 8 counts — attempted distribution of obscene matter to minors (1st offense).
• 1 count — giving officer false identifying information. 

How Jayden’s Law may have worked here: Predator Loophole: Shows how prolific online predators can be (dozens of counts, wide scope of charges) — yet current Kentucky law does not always classify these cases with the same severity as physical abuse cases.

Electronic Crimes & Minors: Demonstrates the urgent need for explicit coverage of electronic solicitation, attempted transactions, and obscene distribution under Jayden’s Law enhancements.

Community Risk: Hurt attempted a physical meeting, proving escalation risk; Jayden’s Law must treat such cases as violent offenses to ensure maximum sentencing.

Custody/Visitation Prevention: If an offender has children or access to them, Jayden’s Law guarantees automatic and permanent loss of custody/visitation rights.

Madison County Daycare Abuse Case (2025)
Initial Arrest (April 8, 2025):

·         Elizabeth Thomas – Daycare employee -  Arrested April 8, 2025 -Indicted on 1 count of 4th degree assault and ten counts of 1st degree criminal abuse.

·         Brooklyn Houk – daycare worker – indicted on obstruction, failure to report abuse, and 1st degree strangulation (victim age  4)

·         Khrystian Greer – indicted on 1st degree criminal abuse and 1st degree strangulation.

Abimael Morales – Lexington, KY – charged with first degree rape of a victim under 12 years of age, first degree sexual abuse of a victim under 12 years of age, and distribution of obscene matter.

Ronald Exantus – Versailles, KY – released early due to a loophole in Kentucky’s statutes. This illustrates how sentencing gaps and insanity defenses can still result in relatively short confinement after a child’s murder. Reinforces the need for mandatory sentencing and no early release for those convicted of violent crimes against children. It also demonstrates why Jayden’s Law includes violent offender classification and custody / visitation prohibitions even after partial acquittals or plea modifications.

Zachary Stogner, Logan County, KY – charged with procuring a minor by electronic means (KRS 510.155) as part of an undercover  Internet Crimes Against Children operation.

David George – Russell Springs, KY – indicted on first degree rape of a juvenile.

Jorge Martin Vasquez, Jr – Monticello, KY - Following an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation, KSP discovered Vasquez was distributing sexually explicit videos of minors via social media. Search warrant executed at his home; multiple electronic devices seized. Charges (First Round): 60 counts total — 20 each of distributing, possessing, and promoting sexual performance by a minor.

Second Round (July 2025): A new juvenile victim identified in Pulaski County.
Additional charges: Third-degree rape and multiple child-exploitation offenses.
Third Round (September 2025):

Another juvenile victim located in Laurel County.
New charges (23 total):

7 × Promoting a minor under 16 in a sexual performance
7 × Use of a minor under 16 in a sexual performance
1 × Promoting use of a minor by electronic means
1 × First-degree sexual abuse
7 × Distributing matter portraying a minor over 12 in a sexual performance
This marks the third set of charges since May.

Brian Hinds – Louisville, KY – Teacher / Child Sexual Exploitation Case – Charged with Distribution of child sexual abuse material and possession of child sexual abuse material depicting prepubescent boys.

Harrison Cress – Hazard, KY – Charged with 2x Sodomy First Degree (Victim under 12), 1 count of incest (victim under 12), 3x sexual abuse first degree (victim under 12).

Charles Hamilton – Madison County, KY – Teacher / Coach  charged with First degree sexual abuse (victim under 12)

Samantha Walker – Berea, KY – Former School Employee – charged with use of a minor in a sexual performance, first degree sexual abuse, third degree rape, third degree sodomy, tampering with physical evidence, distribution of obscene matter to minors.

Jonathan Kerns – Berea, KY – charged with sex crimes involving a minor.

James Matthew Calvert – Winchester, KY – charged with 20 counts of distributing matter portraying a minor in sexual performance.

Daniel Townsend – Powell County, KY – charged with two counts of unlawful transaction with a minor (first degree).

Beverly Vanwinkle- Thompson – Richmond, KY – charged with second degree criminal abuse (victim under 12) Fourth degree assault – child abuse.

David Coleman – Jackson, KY – charged with two counts of first degree sexual abuse (child under 12), first degree sodomy (victim under 12) and incest (victim under 12)

Trenton Morgan & Kristen Mosley – London, KY – Trenton was charged with first degree robbery, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, Kristen was charged with complicity to commit first degree robbery . The charges stemmed from a car-jacking with a 2 year old child inside the vehicle.

Willow Neal – Bowling Green, KY – charged with distribution of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor (12-18 years old) and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Thomas Carter – Franklin County, KY – charged with first degree rape, first degree unlawful transaction with a minor (illegal sex act under 18), second degree unlawful transaction with a minor, third degree unlawful transaction with a minor, fourth degree assault, failure to comply with sex offender registration, distribution of obscene material to minors.

Austin Vanwinkle – pro wrestler – charged with procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means, promoting a sexual performance by a minor under 16.

Eric Harvey – Morgan County, KY – charged with unlawful transaction with a minor (3rd degree)

Anthony Willoughby, Franklin County, KY – charges include: 
2 counts – First-degree rape of a victim under 12

2 counts – Second-degree rape

3 counts – First-degree sodomy of a victim under 12

3 counts – Second-degree sodomy

2 counts – First-degree sexual abuse of a minor under 12

2 counts – First-degree sexual abuse

1 count – Distribution of obscene matter to a minor

1 count – First-degree unlawful transaction with a minor under 16 (illegal sexual activity)

 Charles Michael Hopkins  - Pike County, KY – charged with 20 counts of possessing matter portraying a minor over the age of 12 in a sexual performance.

Nicholas Coffman – Lexington, KY – Charge: First degree rape of a minor.

Zachary Foster – Elizabethtown, KY – charges: First degree criminal abuse of a child 12 or under.

William David Sizemore – London, KY – charged with one count of procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.

Cole Steven Farthing – Graves County, KY – 2 counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance. Child under 12 years old. Six counts of procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.
Victoria Harris – Bonnyman, KY – charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a minor.

Jasmine Siler & Robin Siler -Whitley County, KY – both suspects charged with murder (victim 16 months old) and drug related charges

Van Laurence Barker – Westen Kentucky – Charged with distribution of child sexual abuse material, attempted online enticement of a minor, distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Charles Wages – Carter County, KY - criminal abuse of a child 12 or under (first degree). Other charges may be forthcoming.  Victim was a three month old infant.

Sarah Coshatt – Berea, KY – charged with use of a minor under 16 in  sexual performance (child was under the age of 5).

Loyd Riley – London, KY – charges – one count of distribution of matter portraying a minor under the age of 12 in a sexual performance.

Matthew Watts – Boyle County, KY – charged with first degree criminal abuse of a child and second degree criminal abuse of a child.

Timothy Castle – Whitley County, KY - Charges:
Second-degree rape (no force)
Second-degree sodomy
First-degree sexual abuse
Unlawful transaction with a minor – illegal sex act under 16
Procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means
Distribution of obscene matter to minors
Persistent Felony Offender (PFO)
Custody Status:
Booked into the Whitley County Detention Center
Case Status:
Active investigation / pending prosecution

Christian Alexander Delgado – Interestate Recovery – charges: Kidnapping of a minor, interstate flight, Endangerment. Victim age 13.
Anderson Moore - Boone County, KY – Charges – 26 counts of distributing material portraying a sexual performance by a minor, 34 counts of material portraying a sexual performance by a minor. Total Charges 60 felony counts.

Melinda Spencer – Wolfe County, KY – Charges include First degree  Fetal Homicide , abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence.

 

Together, these cases prove Kentucky’s children are suffering because our laws are weak. Jayden’s Law fixes these failures and ensures it never happens again!

 

Jayden’s Law: The Solution

Jayden’s Law is a comprehensive reform that would:

Expand capital protections to all children under 18.

Create a new offense: Murder by Abuse of a Child (capital offense for torture or pattern of abuse).

Raise manslaughter penalties for child victims to a Class B felony (10–20 years minimum).

Create Aggravated Criminal Abuse of a Child: Class A felony for torture, permanent injury, or life-threatening harm.

Establish felony Failure to Protect for parents who knowingly allow abuse.

Elevate endangerment of a child to a felony when it risks death or serious harm.

Ban abusive “discipline” such as choking, burning, or striking a child in the head.

The Bryanna Chapman Provision: Permanently terminate custody and visitation rights for anyone convicted of crimes against children. No restoration. Ever.

Require recording cameras in all licensed daycares with 90-day retention.

Permanently ban convicted abusers from employment in child-serving roles.

Create a Child Cyber Predator Registry and give Kentucky State Police funding to track offenders.

Mandate child fatality reviews and prosecutor data-sharing so risks are flagged early.

Why It Matters:
Every child in Kentucky — whether 5 weeks old, 10 years old, or 17 years old — deserves equal protection under the law.

Right now, Kentucky’s children are not protected equally. Some killers and abusers are walking free too soon. Others are regaining custody of children they once harmed. This is unacceptable.

Jayden’s Law sends a clear message: Kentucky will no longer tolerate the abuse, neglect, or killing of children.

We Demand Action!!!
We call on the Kentucky General Assembly to pass Jayden’s Law immediately.

Protect all children under 18.
Close the custody loophole.
Raise penalties for child abuse and manslaughter.
Strengthen daycare and online safety.
Give prosecutors and law enforcement the tools they need to stop abuse before it turns fatal.
Kentucky’s children cannot wait. Please sign and share this petition to demand lawmakers act now.

Call to Action
✍️ Sign this petition today.
📣 Share it with your community, churches, and schools.
⚖️ Let’s make sure no Kentucky child is ever failed by the law again.