Coldiron, Ky. - On April 28, 2018 at 8:48 p.m. Kentucky State Police, Post 10 Harlan received a call of a structure fire on 206 Abe Lane in the Coldiron community of Harlan County. When fire fighters along with KSP troopers arrived at the scene, they were told a three year old boy was still inside the residence.
Preliminary investigation indicates the home owner, Amanda Brock, 37, of Coldiron left her 11 year old son home to watch her three year old nephew while she was gone to watch go-cart races in Letcher County. While Mrs. Brock was gone, the residence caught on fire and the 11 year old ran to a neighbor’s house for help. Once neighbors arrived at the residence, it was totally engulfed with fire and smoke. Fire fighters from the Sunshine and Wallins Fire Department located the three year old boy inside the residence deceased. The Harlan County Coroner was notified and responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
Mrs. Brock was the caretaker of the deceased three year old. Mrs. Brock was arrested and charged with manslaughter 2nd degree and wanton endangerment 1st degree. She is lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center.
The body will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy and cause of death. Also KSP Arson Investigator from Pikeville Post is on the scene to assist with the investigation. At this time, the exact cause of the fire is unknown.
Case is still under investigation by Det. Rodney Sturgill. Also assisted at the scene were KSP Arson Investigator, Sunshine Fire Department, Wallins Fire Department, Harlan County Emergency Management, Trans-Star Ambulance, and Harlan County Coroner Jim Rich.
Scene photo from Kentucky State Police.
Photo of accused courtesy of the Harlan County Detention Center.
