Kentucky State Police Charge Clay County Mother with Murder

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MANCHESTER, Ky- (November 13, 2024) On April 20, 2024, Kentucky State Police Post 11-London was contacted by the Department of Community Based Services to investigate a suspected physical abuse complaint involving a three-month-old female child.  The child had been taken to the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington with multiple fractures, hemorrhages, and retinal bleeding.  Through investigation, the child’s mother was developed as a suspect.  On June 3, 2024, Brianna “Morgan” Burkhart of Clay County was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of Assault 1st  degree and one count of Criminal Abuse 1st degree-Child 12 or under.

On September 10, 2024, Detective James Royal was notified the child had succumbed to her injuries and had passed away at the UK Children’s Hospital.  On November 7, 2024, Detective Royal presented his investigation to the Clay County Grand Jury based on the new information.  The grand jury returned a superseding indictment for one count of Murder.

Detective Royal is continuing his investigation; further action is pending in Clay County Circuit Court.

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