The Whitley County Grand Jury handed down criminal abuse indictments against four people in connection with three separate cases Monday.
The grand jury indicted Rebecca Trosper, 63, and Terry Trosper, 57, both of Corbin, charging them with two counts of first-degree criminal abuse.
From Jan. 1, 2023, through April 9, 2025, the couple allegedly abused two children by placing them in a situation, which caused them to be in danger of death or serious physical injury, according to their indictments.
In a separate case, the grand jury also indicted Steven R. Manus, 43, of Williamsburg, charging him with second-degree criminal abuse and fourth-degree assault.
On May 17, Manus allegedly wantonly abused a teenager by placing the teen in a situation, which put them in danger of serious physical injury, and drug a different person by her ankles and hit her causing serious physical injury, according to her indictment.
In the third unrelated case, the grand jury indicted Whitney J. Hartner, 31, of Williamsburg, charging her with one count of second-degree criminal abuse (child 12 or under).
On April 11, Hartner allegedly wantonly abused the child by placing the child in a situation to be in danger of serious physical injury, according to her indictment.
An indictment is a formal charge by a grand jury; it is not a conviction or an admission of guilt.
In addition, Brianna Cox, 31, of Corbin, was indicted by information in Whitley Circuit Court on a charge of second-degree criminal abuse (child 12 or under) and two separate counts of second-degree criminal abuse.
On June 14, she allegedly abused a child 12 years old or under by placing it in a situation, which caused her to be in danger of death or serious physical injury. She also allegedly wantonly abused two teenagers and placed them in a situation, which caused them to be in danger of death or serious physical injury.
Prosecutors have recommended a probated three-year prison sentence in the case. The plea offer calls for Cox to have no contact with the children other than what the Department of Community-Based Services permits.
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 regarding the charges and a recommended sentence in the case.
