BROWNSTOWN — A coordinated investigation involving law enforcement agencies across state lines has resulted in the arrest of two Kentucky residents following a severe case of infant abuse.
Aurora Hamilton, 21, and Benjamin Reale, 18, both of Smiths Grove, Kentucky, were taken into custody and booked into the Jackson County Jail. Both face preliminary Kentucky charges of Criminal Abuse in the 1st Degree (Victim Under 12) and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.
The case began on Thursday in Salem, Indiana, when the parents reportedly dropped their infant off with a family member. Upon noticing the child was suffering from severe injuries, the relative immediately transported the infant to St. Vincent Hospital.
Due to the nature of the injuries, hospital staff alerted the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post. Investigators quickly determined the incidents likely occurred at the parents’ residence in Kentucky, prompting a cross-border collaboration with the Kentucky State Police.
While the primary investigation was handled by state troopers from both Indiana and Kentucky, the complexity of the case required support from several local departments. Assisting agencies included:
- Washington County Sheriff’s Department
- Jackson County Sheriff’s Department
- Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department
- Salem Police Department
In Kentucky, criminal abuse in the 1st Degree is a serious felony. It is typically charged when a person intentionally causes a person under 12 years of age to be placed in a situation that may cause serious physical injury or when they cruelly punish a child Under Kentucky Revised Statutes, this is classified as a Class B felony if the abuse is intentional, carrying a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.
Specific details regarding the infant’s current condition have not been released due to privacy laws and the ongoing nature of the criminal case. Hamilton and Reale are currently being held in Jackson County, awaiting extradition or further court proceedings in Kentucky.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
