Toddler

The mother and aunt of a 18-month-old child have been charged after the boy tested positive for cocaine, police said. Warrants were taken Monday evening for Ashley Carrier, 20, mother of the child, and Jessica Coffman, 24, both of 449 Chestnut St. after Carrier told authorities the boy was acting strangely as if he may have ingested prescription narcotics. Danville officers and Boyle County Emergency Medical Service personnel went to the Chestnut Street residence where the child was stumbling and acting very sleepy, according to police.

A little boy who wandered from his home and on to McGrath Street during the night was returned to his mother unharmed. Interim Police Chief Tony Gray said the boy, about 2 1/2 years old, apparently got up about 2:30 a.m. while his mother was asleep and was able to get outside of his residence on Toombs Court. A neighbor saw the child in the street and called police. Officers found the boy and returned him to his mother, Donna Vaught, Gray said. No charges were filed. "It just looks a situation with an adventurous little boy," Gray said.

The family of a 2-year-old girl who nearly drowned Tuesday is asking the community to pray as she fights for her life. Clara Jane McKinney of Virginia, who had been residing with family in Winchester, was missing for about 10 minutes before her aunt found her unresponsive in a swimming pool near Hampton Avenue, according to Winchester Police Capt. Harvey Craycraft. McKinney's family today asked police to let the public know "they appreciate all the support they've gotten, and to keep her in their prayers," said Winchester Police Sgt. Anthony Kirk.

A 2-year-old Winchester girl was missing for only a few minutes when she was found in the family's in-ground swimming pool Monday afternoon, Capt. Harvey Craycraft of the Winchester Police Department said yesterday. "But it doesn't take long," he added. Craycraft, who is investigating the incident with Detective Pat Adkins, said he did not want to reveal the identity of the child or its family until he has talked more with family members. But he said the incident was entirely an accident.

A two-year-old girl is still listed in serious condition at the University of Kentucky Medical Center after she tumbled into a pot of boiling water and received severe burns Sunday. The girl's uncle, Mark A. Campbell, 31, of 194 Wabash Ave. No. 6, was allegedly using a hot plate to boil potatoes on the floor Sunday evening when his niece, Brandy Hurt, tripped over an extension cord and fell into the pot. The girl was following Campbell through the house at the time. The uncle was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment following the incident.

LIBERTY - A Casey County toddler who suffers from Type I diabetes is looking for support for the American Diabetes Association. Two-year-old De Anna Howard was diagnosed eight months ago and is one of the youngest children in Kentucky to suffer from diabetes. A benefit also is scheduled in De Anna's honor 6 p.m. Saturday at Central Kentucky Ag/Expo Center on U.S. 127 South to raise funds for the Diabetes Association. Singers include Nannett Elmore, Spirit Seekers, New Dawn and Happy Travelers.

This week a caller asked how to retrain his 11-year-old dog to accept his two toddlers. Over the phone, I suggested a complete physical including a range of motion test, a vision acuity test, a hearing test and a thyroid check (which involves blood work). After discovering the level of the pet's health, I recommended a senior-blend dog food that contains glucosamine and chondroitin (most senior diets contain these two alternative health formulas that ease the pain of arthritis)

LIBERTY - A 2-year-old toddler, who was trying to get to his horse across the road from his house on U.S. 127 North, died Saturday shortly after he was struck by a vehicle. Zachary Blake Rodgers of Liberty, the son of Gary Rodgers of Liberty and Jessica Wachter of Dunnville, was pronounced dead at Casey County Hospital. Deputy Coroner Betty Clark said the child died from multiple head and trunk injuries. Zachary was on the porch with his mother when he saw his horse, said his grandmother, Lila Rodgers of Liberty.

Very often, at my house, crazy things are occurring all around me and I think to myself, "This ought to be on a sitcom. " This past Friday could have been a prize-winning episode. It began with a wet carpet and a funny smell. I wrote a few weeks ago about my potty training toddler and I assumed this was just another accident. Only, this was a big accident. The floor was saturated. Upon further investigation we discovered it was something else entirely. Our mishap involved a toy block, the above mentioned toddler, a sewage pump and men in hazmat suits.

HARRODSBURG - A Harrodsburg man and his mother were taken to jail after a domestic dispute with a family friend resulted in a 3-year-old getting cut in the neck Sunday. Travis Butler, 25, of 165 Eminence Ave., Apt. A, was arrested after police were called to his residence just after noon. Police say Butler was armed with a knife and allegedly intended to kill Daniel Patrick, 23, of 132 Marmion Ave. Patrick said Butler's wife was on the phone with his wife when the commotion began.