MURDER
CASE #: 2023-3
Elena Roseleigh Hembree
Status:
Open
Date of Offense:
Date of Offense:
Jurisdiction:
Middlesboro Police Department
Offense Location:
Middlesboro, KY
Summary:
In late July of 2023, 17-month old Elena was brought to Middlesboro ARH Hospital. Based on the severity of the injuries, she was flown to East Tennessee Children's Hospital and pronounced deceased on July 30, 2023. Elena died from physical injuries after being sexually assaulted.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
Elena's mother, Erica Lawson, has been taken into custody and indicted for murder, failure to support child abuse, first-degree criminal abuse and first-degree wanton endangerment. Bell County prosecutors have filed notice that they will be seeking the death penalty against Elena's mother. Middlesboro Police Department has an open investigation to identify all suspects who were part of sexually assaulting and killing Elena.
Additional Details:
Authorities have announced that DNA work to identify the additional suspects could take up to a year.
Case Last Updated:
Associated Persons
Trey H. (Father) - Living
Erica L. (Mother) - Living
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