Erica Lawson, a 21-year-old mother, faces multiple charges including second-degree murder in connection with the death of her 17-month-old daughter, Elena. The charges also include failure to report child dependency neglect or abuse, first-degree criminal abuse, and first-degree wanton endangerment. Lawson was arrested after Elena died at a Tennessee hospital in July 2023. She is currently held on a $1 million bond in Bell County, Kentucky. Prior to Elena’s death, concerns of abuse were raised to authorities by her uncle, although Elena was not located by authorities at that time.
