Clay County mother charged with murder in infant’s death

MANCHESTER, Ky. – A Clay County mother is facing a murder charge in the death of her young child.

According to the Kentucky State Police, troopers were contacted by the Department of Community Based Services on April 20 to investigate a suspected physical abuse complaint involving a three-month-old female child.

Authorities say the child was taken to the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington with multiple fractures, hemorrhages and retinal bleeding.

Through investigation, troopers say the child’s mother was developed as a suspect.

On June 3, Brianna “Morgan” Burkhart, 23, of Clay County was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of first-degree assault  and one count of first-degree criminal abuse – child 12 or under.

On September 10, authorities say detective James Royal was notified the child had died due to her injuries at the UK Children’s Hospital. On November 7, Royal presented his investigation to the Clay County Grand Jury based on the new information. Troopers say the grand jury returned a superseding indictment for one count of murder.

This investigation is ongoing; further action is pending in Clay County Circuit Court.