BELL COUNTY, Ky. — Erica Lawson was expected to appear in court on Monday after prosecutors accused her of killing her 17-month-old child in Bell County. However, she did not appear. Instead, attorneys asked for an extension and the soonest the case could be heard again would be in December.
A Bell County Grand Jury indicted Lawson in July for murder, failure to report child abuse, first-degree criminal abuse and first-degree endangerment. The indictment said Lawson did not help her daughter, Elena Hembree, while she was unable to breathe. It also accused Lawson of abusing Hembree and leaving bruises, as well as using drugs while she was taking care of her.
Authorities said Elena suffered severe injuries in late July and was taken to Middlesboro ARH Hospital. Due to the extent of her injuries, she was flown to East Tennessee Children's Hospital and died on July 30.
Authorities previously said the toddler died in the hospital from her injuries after she was sexually assaulted. Kentucky prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Defense attorneys said they were working on conducting independent DNA testing and forensic testing.
In September, the Middlesboro Police Department said it could take up to a year to complete DNA analysis in the case.