A Whitley County Grand Jury has indicted the uncle of a 13-year-old girl, who died July 7 after she fell off the trunk of a moving car that he was driving.
Tuesday afternoon, the grand jury indicted James Harold Jones, 32, of Corbin, for reckless homicide and third-offense operating a motor vehicle while his license was suspended for driving under the influence.
Jones is the uncle of Hailee Martin the 13-year-old who died after she fell from the trunk of Jones’ moving vehicle on Cecil Wyatt Road July 7, striking her head on the roadway.
"Permitting a 13-year-old to ride on the back of your vehicle on a public roadway goes beyond the realm of common sense," said Kentucky State Police Detective Colan Harrell, who investigated the case. "He’s 32-years-old and he knew she was back there. He knew better."
Both offenses are class ‘D’ felonies, which are each punishable by up to five years in prison.
The grand jury also charged Janice Shupe with adult exploitation.
According to her indictment, she allegedly diverted over $500 in assets from a local woman.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble said that Shupe came into contact with the elderly victim as a nurse, who was assigned to her by a home health agency.
"Shortly after that just a few months later, she (Shupe) acquired her (the victim’s) home, her car and certain amounts of money," Trimble said.
Trimble said that this is the first case of this nature he has prosecuted under a relatively new state statute that addresses financially taking advantage of the elderly.
According to its monthly report, the grand jury also issued eight other felony indictments Tuesday, including:
¥ Michael W. Miller, 19, of Burlington – receiving stolen property over $500 but less than $10,000 and first-degree persistent felony offender.
¥ Linda Leforce, 37, of Woodbine – second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, theft by deception under $500 and first-degree persistent felony offender.
¥ Christopher Genson, 32, of Corbin – third-offense operating a motor vehicle while license was suspended for driving under the influence.
¥ Bryan McKeehan, 30, of Corbin – fourth-offense operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and third-offense operating a motor vehicle while license was suspended for driving under the influence.
¥ April Stickles, 29, of Lafollette, Tenn. – first-degree promoting contraband, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.
¥ Lisa Gardner, 27, of Fort Myers, Florida – first-degree promoting contraband and first-degree possession of a controlled substance.
¥ Starr Sizemore, also known as Starr Kidd, 29, of Pine Knot – theft by unlawful taking over $500 but less than $10,000.
¥ Joseph Reeder of Corbin – theft by deception over $500 but less than $10,000.
The grand jury also returned one misdemeanor indictment charging Erica Jones, also known as Erica Grubb, with theft by unlawful taking under $500.
