Woman accused in near drowning death of son enters not guilty plea

BROWNSVILLE, Ky. – A mother charged with murder in the death of her young son entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment in Edmonson District Court Tuesday.

Alexandra Richardson and her boyfriend, William Suttle, walked into the courtroom shackled and in orange jumpsuits.

Richardson was appointed an attorney during Tuesday’s arraignment

Richardson is accused of driving around a barrier and into high water with her two sons in the car Dec. 3. Her youngest son, a toddler, died.

Suttle is not charged in the toddler’s death.

Suttle and Richardson are also accused of first-degree wanton endangerment and possession of methamphetamine.

The couple were both individually read their rights and their charges.

Both Richardson and Suttle entered not guilty pleas.

A group of people who have joined a Facebook page seeking justice for Richardson’s son had initially planned to be present for the hearing, but none showed up.

Sheriff Shane Doyle said more charges may be coming.

“I think that she absolutely should be charged with wanton endangerment on those (first responders) because all of our lives were put at risk at that point trying to help a really terrible situation,” said Doyle.

The sheriff also released some new information, the cause of death.

“We have a preliminary report from the medical examiners office in Tennessee, but it’s basically asphyxiation due to near drowning,” said Doyle.

Edmonson County is also considering switching from barricades and to lockable gates to block off roads that are closed.

Richardson’s preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Thursday.