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Home > Post > Post 4 > Post 4 News Release > News Release

2 Year Old Dies After Suffering Abuse

Date of News Release: 01/30/2012

(Elizabethtown, KY) -- On January 25, 2012 a 2 year old child (female) was brought to Hardin Memorial Hospital's Emergency Room. The child, unresponsive, was found to have multiple bruises/contusions on a large portion of her body. Further examination revealed the child also suffered from bleeding and swelling of the brain. The child was transported to Kosair Children's Hospital for further treatment where she remains in critical condition.

During an investigation by Kentucky State Police detectives, it was discovered the child was in the care of her babysitter, 28-year-old Ashley Chapman of Vine Grove, when the injuries occurred. Ashley Chapman has been charged with Criminal Abuse 1stDegree and is currently lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash bond.

On January 29, 2012, It is with great sadness that KSP report that the two year old victim in the above mentioned case passed away today (January 29, 2012) at 1:24 pm. The charges will be updated and likely amended to Murder. The investigation is ongoing.

On January 30, 2012 the victim of this homicide was identified as 2 year old, Layla Johnson. The mother of Layla, Jessica Skaggs had a conversation with the babysitter, Ms. Chapman on the day of the incident. Based on that conversation Ms. Skaggs felt that she needed to pick Layla up immediately. Layla was picked up by the maternal grandmother, Teresa Barren and was immediately taken to Hardin Memorial Hospital where se was later transported to Kosair's

Ms. Chapman reported to us that she had previously worked at a licensed daycare facility right here in Hardin County. The charges of Criminal Abuse 1st will likely be amended to Murder in the coming days.

At 2:49 pm ET Detective Jason Propes served Ashley Chapman with a warrant for Murder at the Hardin County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing.

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