Woman charged after infant allegedly found malnourished in Laurel County

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. – One woman is behind bars after authorities say a newborn was found malnourished in Laurel County.

According to a social media post by Sheriff John Root with the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested 34-year-old Rachel Denning of Lily on Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities say Denning was arrested at a home off of Echo Valley Road after they responded for a welfare check regarding an apparent newborn.

Deputies say they received further information advising the infant had not received medical attention since childbirth, and that allegedly, the infant was born with assistance of a midwife.

Upon arrival, deputies say the female in the residence refused to allow deputies to enter to check on the newborn and misidentified herself.

Authorities say they heard the infant crying in the home. After another 30 minutes of negotiation, deputies say the female subject in the residence allowed them to check on the infant.

Deputies say they determined the newborn was only 12 days old, and, according to the mother, the infant was delivered using a midwife at a private home off of Hopkins Cemetery Road.

According to authorities, they were concerned about the well being of the infant, and as a result, the newborn was transported to Saint Joseph Hospital in London for evaluation.

It was later determined the newborn was malnourished and had an infection, authorities say, and was hypothermic due to overheating.

Denning was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment and endangering the welfare of a minor. In addition, authorities say Denning was charged with being a parole violator.

In addition, authorities say during the investigation, Joshua Cox misidentified himself as another individual from Laurel County, however, his actual identity was verified. He was charged with theft of identity.

Both were lodged at the Laurel County Correctional Center.

Social Services also assisted on the investigation.