Harlan, Ky. - On December 6, 2016 at 11:19 a.m. Kentucky State Police, Post 10 was contacted for assistance by the Harlan County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were assisting Harlan County Social Services with a welfare check at Eastbrook Station Road, apt. 28 and discovered a 2 month old child deceased in the residence.
Social Services had received a complaint in regards to the mother, Sierra Foster, being under the influence and unable to care for the child. Detectives Josh Howard, Kevin Miller, Aaron Frederick, Tpr. Jake Spurlock and Tpr. Justin Barton responded to the apartment and began an investigation.
Preliminary investigation indicates Ms. Foster was under the influence and had not cared for the child for at least 12 hours.
An autopsy will be performed on Wednesday December 7, 2016 at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Frankfort.
Sierra Foster, 23, of Harlan was arrested and charged with murder, criminal abuse 1st degree, tampering with physical evidence, poss. of controlled substance 2nd, and poss. of drug paraphernalia and lodged at the Harlan County Detention Center.
Case is still under investigation by Det. Josh Howard.
Photo courtesy of the Harlan County Detention Center
