STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
A Barren County grand jury has returned indictments against three people on multiple child sex abuse charges involving young victims, according to grand jury documents.
The cases stem from alleged conduct in Barren County and reportedly involve children younger than 12.
According to the indictments, one defendant identified as LB “Utah” Kelley is charged with eight counts related to alleged sexual abuse of a child under 12.
Those counts include first-degree sodomy, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, and first-degree criminal abuse.
The charges describe a continuing course of conduct between Jan. 1, 2018, and Feb. 14, 2023, involving multiple children who prosecutors said were incapable of consent because of their age.
A second defendant, identified in the documents as Dawn Michelle Kelley, is charged with six counts involving sexual abuse of a child under 12.
Those charges include first-degree sodomy, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree criminal abuse and first-degree strangulation, also described as a continuing course of conduct.
A third defendant, identified as Kristin Jo McEwing, is charged in another indictment with sexual offenses involving a child younger than 12.
The grand jury alleges that some of the offenses took place on two or more occasions over a span of years, and reference specific child victims identified only by initials.
Officials emphasize that an indictment is a formal allegation, not proof of guilt.
All three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty in a court of law.
All three remain in the Barren County Detention Center on $100,000 cash bonds. They were each arrested Sept. 17 after the grand jury returned the indictments the day before. They were each also arraigned Monday morning, Sept. 21.
Key Facts
– Barren County grand jury returns indictments in multiple child sex abuse cases
– Three defendants are charged in separate indictments, according to court documents
– Charges include first-degree rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, criminal abuse and strangulation
– Alleged victims include children younger than 12
– Alleged conduct spans multiple years beginning in 2018
– All charges are accusations only, and the defendants are presumed innocent
