Laurel County, Ky. - Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Poynter along with Deputy Gary Mehler and his K-9 “Edge”, Deputy Travis Napier, Deputy Joey Robinson, and Deputy Brent France arrested two individuals on Thursday night August 15, 2019 at approximately 7:30 PM.
The arrests occurred off Old Richmond Road, approximately 2 miles north of London after Sgt. Poynter attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a green colored Chrysler Town & Country for traffic violations. The vehicle failed to stop immediately traveling approximately one quarter-mile before stopping in a driveway of the residence there.
Deputies made contact with the two individuals in the vehicle and learned that they had outstanding bench warrants and were arrested.
During the arrest, the passenger refused to exit the vehicle and had to be removed.
As deputies continued their investigation one of the occupants advised there was a baby inside the vehicle however deputies did not immediately locate the baby because it was not in a child safety seat that was mounted in the vehicle.
Deputies located the 16-day-old infant on the floorboard between the two front seats with its head facing toward the center console creating a hazard for the infant and noted that the infant had labored breathing, with ants crawling on it, a soiled diaper, and noted no air conditioning in the vehicle.
In addition, deputies noted trash and debris all over the vehicle including a flatscreen TV which could have easily been thrown about in the vehicle during a sudden stop.
Deputies radioed for Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County to respond to the scene, and upon arrival it was determined the child needed to be transported to a local hospital due to its in condition.
Deputy Joey Robinson who was previously a paramedic, drove the ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital London so both attendants could work with the infant on the way to the hospital.
The two arrested individuals were identified as:
Rebeca Jean Fultz age 32 of Livingston – the mother of the child was charged with:
- Criminal abuse – first-degree – child 12 or under
- Resisting arrest
- Menacing
- A Rockcastle District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of failure to use child restraint device in vehicle
- Failure of owner to maintain required insurance – first offense
- Failure to produce insurance card
Charolotte J. Simpson age 69 of London – the driver of the vehicle and the grandmother of the infant was charged with:
- Criminal abuse – first-degree – child 12 or under
- This subject was charged regarding the traffic stop and charged with operating on suspended or revoked operator's license
- Failure to wear seatbelts
- Failure of nonowner operator to maintain required insurance – first offense
- No registration plates
- No registration receipt
- A Rockcastle District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of operating on suspended or revoked operator's license
These two individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photos of accused attached is courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.
The infant was improved upon treatment at the hospital for dehydration.
Social Services was called to place the infant upon release from the hospital.
