SALYERSVILLE – A Magoffin County man was sentenced in a local child abuse case.
Lonnie Lemaster, 29, of Gunlock, appeared in court on May 7 for sentencing, after taking a plea deal in March and entering a plea of guilty to the amended charge of first-degree criminal abuse (Class C felony). Circuit Judge Kim Childers sentenced Lemaster to six years in prison for the amended charge, as well as ordered no contact with the child, and to pay court costs.
According to the original report, Kentucky State Police was called to North Magoffin Elementary on May 15, 2025, to a criminal abuse of a child complaint, with a 5-year-old male juvenile with extensive bruising over parts of his body. The school also advised KSP the student had not been to school in over a week, and when he showed up the bruising was observed.
Social services and KSP talked with NME Principal Willie Cole, who told them the 5-year-old had been under observation since lunch time that day. Police and social services observed extensive bruising on the boy’s right arm, as well as on his lower back and legs.
According to the police report, the child at first told police he could not say anything because he would get in trouble, but then advised his mom’s boyfriend was mean to him.
The Head Start teacher told police that the child had fallen asleep on a tricycle while outside during playtime that morning, and further stated that she and another teacher observed bruising to the juvenile’s back, butt, new and under his right arm when he woke up for lunch. The teacher further stated that is when she notified the principal.
KSP contacted dispatch and requested emergency medical services for the child due to the extent of his bruising.
The child’s mother, whose name will not be reported here to protect the identity of the child, has also taken a plea deal and was sentenced to 5 years, with no contact to the victim.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
