Two Arrests Made In NKY Child Abuse Case

Detectives say a three-year-old child sustained significant facial injuries last week.

Shane C. Sasher and Karen Spurlock. Photo by the Boone County Sheriff's Office. 

(Boone County, Ky.) – Two arrests have been made after a young child was allegedly abused in Boone County.

On September 18, Boone County detectives were alerted by medical professionals at St. Elizabeth in Edgewood that a three-year-old had sustained significant facial injuries consistent with abuse. The victim was found to be the son of Karen Spurlock, who resides with Shane C. Sasher at a residence on Irish Way in Union.    

According to the report, the child sustained multiple abrasions and contusions under both eyes, to his forehead, temples, cheeks and nose. He also had a laceration under his left eye which was swollen shut and required stitches.

During a three-day investigation, detectives learned that Sasher and Spurlock were the only two people in the residence at the time of the alleged assault and that the child had suffered through two separate assaults, resulting in the arrests of Sasher and Spurlock on Friday.

Detectives say the victim was put to bed the night of the alleged assault with Motrin. When he didn’t immediately wake up the next day, Sasher and Spurlock thought he was dead. They did not immediately call 911, but did transported the child to St. Elizabeth where they reported he had fallen down the stairs.

Sasher and Spurlock are charged with one count of Criminal Abuse 1st Degree and Assault 2nd Degree.

As for the child, he has been removed from the custody of Sasher and Spurlock and placed with a trusted family member upon being released from the hospital.