Two people initially charged with criminal abuse have been indicted on murder charges after a teenager in their care died following a lack of treatment of injuries.
The teenager was transported to Wayne County Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Police noted that the teen had “serious injuries,” according to media reports.
Two people, 44-year-old Jeremy Ridner and 37-year-old Billie Jo Brolin, told deputies that they knew the boy was injured but failed to seek medical attention.
Ridner and Brolin, initially charged with first-degree criminal abuse, were indicted on Monday on murder, possession of a controlled substance, first-degree assault, first-degree criminal abuse, and tampering with physical evidence charges, according to WKYT.com.
The suspects are lodged in the Whitley County Detention on $1 million bonds.
Police have not released information regarding the relationship between the two suspects and Austin, but according to his obituary, they were apparently not related.
Austin was a student in McCreary County Middle School and a member of Open-Door Ministries, his obituary states.
(Photo l-r: Jeremy Ridner, Austin Carpenter (courtesy of McCreary Co. Funeral Home), Billy Jo Brolin)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
