Middlesboro, KY (WOKI) The Middlesboro Kentucky Police Department says there is a “significant development” in the death of 17-month-old Elena Hembree.
The MPD says an extensive investigation and a DNA result showing a lack of male DNA confirm their findings that the girl’s mother, Erica Lawson, is responsible for the little girl’s death.
She is charged with manslaughter, criminal abuse and other charges.
Additionally, the cause of death has been determined to be non-accidental blunt force trauma.
On July 28 of last year, Hembree showed up at the local hospital with severe injuries. She was flown to Knoxville, but due to the extent of those injuries did not survive.
