A Hopkinsville woman has been arrested after police say her 9-year-old daughter was left outside the family home for about 17 hours after the two returned from a party.
Ashland Killebrew is facing charges of second-degree criminal abuse and neglect following the incident, according to Hopkinsville police.
Police said Killebrew and her daughter arrived home at around 10 p.m. Thursday after attending a party. Investigators allege that Killebrew went inside, locked the door and did not realize her daughter had remained outside.
According to the arrest information, Killebrew had been drinking at the party and later fell asleep inside the home. She reportedly believed her daughter was already inside with her.
The girl attempted to get her mother’s attention by repeatedly beating on the front door, but no one answered.
The situation came to light Friday morning when Killebrew woke up and could not find her daughter inside the house. She then called 911, police said.
Officers located the girl and spoke with her about what had happened. Investigators determined that she had been outside for approximately 17 hours.
The incident led to Killebrew’s arrest on a charge involving criminal abuse or neglect of a child under 12. She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 2.
The case remains pending, and the allegations against Killebrew have not been proven in court.
The arrest follows an investigation by the Hopkinsville Police Department into the circumstances surrounding the child’s extended time outside the home.
