03/21/2023
A McCracken County woman was arrested at approximately 4:00 PM on
March 21, 2023 for Criminal Abuse 1st Degree – Child 12 or Under and
Strangulation 1st Degree. The arrest was pursuant to an McCracken
County Grand Jury indictment after an investigation that began on
February 13, 2023.
On February 13, Deputies responded to a local school to investigate
possible child abuse. A staff member of the elementary school had
noticed marks on a five year old child. Thinking it was medical
related, the staff member had the school’s medical staff evaluate the
marks. The medical staff immediately suspected the marks were abuse
after observing them and discovering severe bruising, burst blood
vessels and other evidence of abuse. He was transported to a local
hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Detectives and DCBS conducted a joint investigation following the
initial discovery. Detectives interviewed the parents and the other
children living in the household, conducted search warrants on the
residence and electronic devices, and obtained surveillance evidence
from other locations. Physicians were also consulted during the
investigation and it was determined that the injuries were due to
ongoing abuse and strangulation.
Evidence was presented to a McCracken County Grand Jury on Friday
March 17, 2023. The Grand Jury returned an indictment against 37 year
old Amber Patton, of Paducah, Ky, for Strangulation 1st Degree and
Criminal Abuse 1st Degree – Child 12 or under.
Criminal Abuse 1st Degree – Child 12 or Under is a Class B felony,
punishable by 10-20 years in prison. Strangulation 1st degree is a
Class C felony, punishable by 5 – 10 years in prison.
