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Booneville Today
By the People, for the People
Kentucky Couple Charged With Reckless Homicide After Reporting Miscarriage
Deann and Charles Bennett face multiple charges related to the death of an infant found outside their home.
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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A Kentucky couple has been charged with reckless homicide and other offenses more than a year after they reported a miscarriage at their home, where responding officers later discovered an unresponsive infant over an embankment. Deann Bennett, 27, and Charles Bennett, 32, were arrested on Monday following a yearlong investigation into the November 2024 incident in Booneville.
Why it matters
This case highlights the complex legal landscape around pregnancy-related incidents in Kentucky, where abortion is largely banned but fetal homicide laws have restrictions. It also raises questions about how authorities respond to reports of pregnancy loss and the potential consequences for parents.
The details
According to Kentucky State Police, the couple told authorities the infant remained at their home after Deann Bennett was transported to a hospital. Troopers and detectives then found the unresponsive infant over an embankment outside the couple's home. The body was taken to a medical examiner's office, but the cause of death has not been revealed.
- On November 29, 2024, officers responded to a 911 call regarding a woman who had been transported to a hospital upon reporting a possible miscarriage.
- In late January 2026, a grand jury in Owsley County issued indictments in the case.
- On Monday, February 12, 2026, Deann and Charles Bennett were arrested.
The players
Deann Bennett
A 27-year-old Kentucky resident who has been charged with reckless homicide, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Charles Bennett
A 32-year-old Kentucky resident who has been charged with reckless homicide and concealing the birth of an infant.
Rob Morgan
The Owsley County Coroner who pronounced the infant dead at the scene.
Melissa Spencer
A 35-year-old Wolfe County woman who was recently arrested for taking abortion medication, highlighting the complex legal landscape around pregnancy-related incidents in Kentucky.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Deann and Charles Bennett out on bail.
The takeaway
This case raises serious questions about how authorities respond to reports of pregnancy loss and the potential legal consequences for parents, especially in states with restrictive abortion laws like Kentucky. It underscores the need for a more compassionate and nuanced approach to these sensitive situations.
