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Last updated on Thursday, December 31, 2015
(UNDATED) - In September a woman kills her husband after she says he attacked her; a Brown County man shot his daughter after fight about her dog and then kills self; royalty was crowned; the “Voice of the Bluejackets” was honored; a BNL teacher was put on administrative leave after allegations of abuse and a mother was sentenced for her part in her baby’s death.
Salem Mother Sentenced For Her Part In Baby's Death
A Salem mother, Casey Crain, was sentenced September 3 to 30 years with five years suspended following the death of her 8-month-old son Leelan in September 2013.
Crain's then boyfriend 24-year-old Jamie Lykins of Salem was sentenced in July 2014 to serve 50 years for battery and 40 years for neglect in the death saying the crime was a deliberate act of rage against the child.
Salem police say Lykins beat the child to death at the couple's home on Ridgeview Drive in Salem. Friends of the couple talked them into seeking treatment for Leelan after he was found bruised, not breathing well and semi-conscious.
Leelan died Saturday, September 8, 2013 at Kosiar Children's Hospital from blunt force trauma to his head.
Autopsy photos showed visible bruises on the ears, head and face, along with abrasions and scrapes along the jawline. There were more abrasions and bruising on the throat and chest, along with scratches on his scalp and more scratches on his right shoulder blade - all the result of being struck.
Along with the external injuries, there was also bleeding on the brain. Surgery was performed to try and save Leelan, but he died at the hospital.
According to the autopsy report, Leelan suffered at least 12 impacts to the head area and at least seven to the torso.
Along with injuries to the head and upper torso, there were injuries around Leelan's genitals, there was also a laceration of the anus from some sort of trauma.
Crain told police that Lykins was angry that Leelan was crying.
North Lawrence School Board Places Dennis Martin On Administrative Leave
On September 11, by a vote of 5-2, the North Lawrence School Board placed Bedford North Lawrence High School Teacher Dennis Martin on paid administrative leave pending an independent investigation into allegations made by a student or multiple students that Martin had patted students on the back and another girl accused him of "trying to feel her bra strap."
Martin claims they gave him only three options: termination, administrative leave or resignation. He submitted his resignation on August, but later he withdrew that by writing a letter to both school and school board officials saying that he didn't want to resign and noting that he was pressured to do so.
Martin, who taught social studies and has been at part of the BNL faculty for more than 22 years.
More than 2,000 people signed a petition in support of Martin.
NLCS Curriculum Director Mark Vice Announces Retirement
In September, Bedford North Lawrence Community Schools' Curriculum Director Mark Vice announced he would retire November 24.
Vice, who had been employed with the school for almost 30 years, plans to devote more time to performing as a musician and vocalist.
In November, the school board appointed Shawswick Elementary Principal Aaron Ritter to replace Vice.
Mitchell Homecoming Royalty Crowned
On September 11, Michaela Collins was crowned Mitchell High School homecoming queen and senior Zach See was crowned king.
Kelsey Enlow, a junior, was named homecoming princess.
Johnny Henderson Honored As "Voice of Bluejackets"
The Mitchell Community School Board of Trustees honored Z102 102.5 WPHZ announcer Johnny Henderson on September 14.
Henderson has been the "Voice of the Bluejackets" for more than 22 years, announcing both boys and girls basketball, varsity football, volleyball, softball and track.
Madison NcNeely Crowned Persimmon Festival Queen
Madison McNeely, 17, was crowned the 69th Annual Persimmon Festival Queen on September 21.
She is the daughter of Jennifer McNeely and Denver McNeely and is a senior at Mitchell High School.
BNL Homecoming Royalty Crowned
Erin Bradley was crowned Bedford North Lawrence Homecoming queen September 25.
Caleb Higgins was named king during Bedford North Lawrence High School's homecoming ceremony.
The Stars lost to Jennings County's Panthers, 21-13.
Brown County Man Shoots Daughter, Kills Self
A Brown County man shot his 28-year-old daughter and then killed himself on September 26, after the two had an argument over her dog.
The incident happened just after 2 a.m. at Stumpf's mobile home on Sweetwater Trail.
According to the Brown County Sheriff's Department, Andrea Stumpf had recently moved in with her 58-year-old father and her stepmother and brought her dog with her. Both Christopher and Andrea had been drinking whiskey mixed with Coke and her father had also been drinking beer. They got into an argument over the dog. Andrea then allegedly picked up a peanut butter jar and threw it at her father, striking his right shoulder.
Police say Christopher then went into a bedroom, came back into the living room and pointed a .32-caliber pistol at his daughter who was sitting on the couch and fired one shot at her.
She then dove off the couch onto the floor and Christopher fired a second shot. He then walked back to the bedroom and shot himself in the head.
Andrea was flown to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital and was released later that day. The first bullet traveled through the woman's right bicep and into her torso. The second bullet grazed her left side.
Bloomington Woman Says She Shot And Killed Her Husband Cause She Feared For Her Life
The woman that murdered her husband the afternoon of Sept. 29 told Monroe County Sheriff detectives she feared for her life.
Police arrested Taylor Roxann Kirby after she shot her husband Justin four times killing him after an argument at their home on San Juan Drive. The couple's two toddlers witnessed the murder.
An autopsy showed that one of the bullets that hit 26-year-old Justin Kirby entered his buttocks and exited from his scrotum, was fired from behind. Three bullets struck Kirby in the torso.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Taylor Kirby called 911 reporting she had shot her husband after he "came after" her.
When police arrived they found Justin Kirby dead on the ground outside of the couple's home. His wife was also outside with the couple's toddler son and daughter playing near by.
Police found the murder weapon, a black .380 Ruger, lying on the kitchen counter.
Taylor told police her husband had attacked her after she had discovered he was having an affair. But police say Taylor's story doesn't match the physical evidence recovered at the home.
Taylor Kirby was arrested on a charge of murder and is being held without bond at the Monroe County Jail. She has pleaded not guilty to the crime.
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