Kentucky residents arrested after Indiana child abuse investigation

Two Kentucky residents were arrested and taken to the Jackson County Jail after a cross-state investigation into child abuse last week.

The Kentucky State Police and Indiana State Police say that the investigation began Thursday In Salem when parents dropped off an infant to a family member and the child was severely injured. The family member took the child to St. Vincent Hospital and troopers from the Sellersburg post were called to investigate. The investigation led to the parents who are from Smiths Grove, Kentucky and Kentucky troopers picked up the case. 21-year-old Aurora Hamilton and 18 year old Benjamin Reale were arrested and taken to the Jackson County Jail on preliminary Kentucky charges of Criminal Abuse in the 1st degree of a victim younger than 12 and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and the Salem Police Department also assisted in the investigation