Two arrested after infant death in Owsley County

BOONEVILLE, Ky. – Two people are formally charged in the death of an infant in Owsley County.

After a year-long investigation, public affairs officer trooper Justin Kearney with the Kentucky State Police says two individuals were arrested Monday after indictments were issued in January.

Twenty-seven-year-old Deeann Bennett of Booneville was taken into custody on charges of reckless homicide, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and concealing the birth of an infant.

In addition, authorities say 32-year-old Charles Bennett of Booneville was arrested on charges of reckless homicide and concealing the birth of an infant.

The investigation began Friday, November 29, 2024 when KSP received a 911 call just before 10:30 a.m. regarding a female who had been transported to a hospital after reporting a possible miscarriage. While at the hospital, authorities say the couple told them the infant was still at their home on Lewis Lane in Booneville.

Troopers and detectives say they responded to the residence and located an unresponsive infant over an embankment outside of the home.

The Owsley County coroner pronounced the infant dead at the scene. According to authorities, the infant was transported to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy.

Both individuals remain at the Three Forks Regional Jail.

The investigation was led by KSP Post 7 Detective Anthony Bowling, with assistance from Kentucky State Police personnel and the Owsley County Coroner’s Office.