SOMERSET, KY - Pulaski County Sheriff, Bobby Jones reports the indictment of a Somerset woman on September 8, 2023 for Knowingly Abusing or Neglecting an Adult following an earlier arrest on June 27, 2023 for the same offense.
On June 27, 2023, Sergeant Branson Patterson and Deputy Seth Gover responded to a call at the residence of Karen McDonald, age 67.
During the initial investigation, Sgt. Patterson learned that Karen McDonald’s daughter, Abra McDonald, age 49, resides with her.
Karen McDonald had been in the same spot on the floor where she had fallen several weeks prior. She was transported to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital by ambulance.
Abra McDonald was charged with:
- WANTON ENDANGERMENT-1ST DEGREE
- KNOWINGLY ABUSE/NEGLECT OF ADULT BY PERSON
This individual was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center.
Pgoto of the accused is courtesy of the Pulaski County Detention Center.
The initial investigation was forwarded to Detective Ryan Jones with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division.
In his follow-up investigation, Detective Jones determined that Abra McDonald made no attempts for several weeks to contact someone to assist her mother in getting up from the floor, despite having cellular phone service and nearby neighbors.
Det. Jones also learned that the residence had no running water.
On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, one day after being removed from the floor of her home, Karen McDonald passed away as a result of the physical trauma she sustained.
Based on his investigation, on September 5, 2023, Detective Jones presented evidence to the Pulaski Grand Jury.
The Grand Jury returned an indictment on Abra McDonald for:
- Knowingly Abusing or Neglecting an Adult, a Class C felony in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, punishable by five to ten years imprisonment
On September 8, 2023, the indictment warrant for these offenses was served on Abra McDonald.
McDonald’s indictment warrant has the same bond continued from District Court of $250,000 cash.
A court date has been set in Pulaski Circuit Court for October 19, 2023 at 9:00 A.M. for McDonald regarding this new indictment.
