Prosecutors have recommended a three-year prison sentence for a Corbin woman, who is charged with endangering her three children while they were riding in a motor vehicle with her.
Amber Vaughn, 33, was indicted by information on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. Her three children ages seven, nine and 10 years old were riding in her vehicle with her.
She allegedly wantonly and with manifest indifference to the value of human life, engaged in conduct, which created a danger of death or serious physical injury to each of the three children, according to her indictment by information.
On Jan. 24, 2025, Vaughn allegedly collided with two vehicles at the intersection of KY-92 West and Exit 11, and then left the scene driving north on I-75 with her three children, who were inside the vehicle when the collision occurred, according to an arrest citation.
When Williamsburg Police Officer Dorman Patrick Jr. encountered her at the 11.5 mile marker in the northbound lane of I-75, he allegedly could smell an odor of alcohol coming from her breath and her speech was slurred. She had an open liquor bottle in the driver’s side door, and she allegedly admitted to drinking at least two shots of liquor, the citation stated.
A breathalyzer test when she got to jail showed that she had a .220 blood alcohol level, Patrick wrote on her arrest citation.
A person is considered legally intoxicated in Kentucky with a blood alcohol level of .08.
Vaughn told police that she had been in a domestic altercation on Woods Lane, which prompted her to leave and drive her vehicle away. Vaughn said that a man had put his hands around her neck and physically assaulted her. She had red marks around her neck below her chin, but did not report the domestic incident to emergency services at all, the citation stated.
At least one of the children received minor injuries during the domestic altercation that happened on Woods Lane, Patrick wrote.
Felony cases get to circuit court in one of two ways. The most common way is that evidence is presented to a grand jury, which issues an indictment against an individual.
The second way is indictment by information. An indictment by information is an expedited way to resolve criminal cases more quickly and it involves the defendant and the prosecutor reaching an agreement on the criminal charge(s) against a defendant.
It also usually, but not always, involves a plea agreement with prosecutors in regards to the charges and a recommended sentence in the case.
According to court documents, the following other cases were resolved via indictment by information in Whitley Circuit Court during the month of February.
• Falesha Bunch, 38, of Williamsburg – fourth-offense operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Prosecutors recommended a three-year prison sentence.
• Dylan Taylor, 33, of Corbin – first-degree promoting contraband (introduction of an illegal substance inside the Whitley County Detention Center while being incarcerated there). Prosecutors recommended a one-year prison sentence.
• Billy Ray Lawson, 35, of Williamsburg – two counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and hydrocodone). Prosecutors recommended a one-year prison sentence.
• Robert Weist, 44, of Gray – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a two-year prison sentence that will be probated for two years. A probated sentence means that if a defendant stays out of trouble during their probation period then they won’t have to serve any additional jail or prison time.
• Courtney Davis Miller, 35, of Williamsburg – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a two-year prison sentence that will be probated after she serves six months in jail. For every day she spends in a long-term rehab program, she will be credited with one day served towards completion of her prison sentence.
• Deanna Evans, 46, of London – first-degree possession of a controlled substance (heroin). Prosecutors recommended a two-year pretrial diversion. As part of her plea agreement, she is also required to enter and complete the 34th Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program. Pretrial diversions often, but not always, allow for charges to be wiped from a defendant’s record at the conclusion of their diversion period.
