SALYERSVILLE – Two Magoffin County women were indicted by a Magoffin County grand jury on May 21 on charges of first-degree criminal abuse involving a child under the age of 12.
According to their indictments, from October 21, 2024, through July 30, 2025, Destiny Brown, 27, and Melissa Howard, 36, both of Royalton Road, Salyersville, allegedly caused torture, cruel confinement, and/or cruel punishment by restricting food, forcing the child into confinement within the house without access to food or facilities, and physically striking the child.
On Howard’s indictment it notes she had custody of the child, listed as being under 12 years of age, and permitted Brown to also abuse the child.
The two are charged with first-degree criminal abuse, child 12 or under, which is a Class B felony.
Warrants were issued for both Brown and Howard. Brown was arrested on May 22 and is currently being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. Her arraignment is scheduled for June 4 at 10 a.m. at the Magoffin County Justice Center.
At press time, Howard has not been arrested.
According to a press release from Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office, the Kentucky State Police investigated the case and Assistant Attorney General Tony Skeans presented the case to the Magoffin County Grand Jury on behalf of the Commonwealth.
The AG’s press release also stated the Kentucky Supreme Court’s rule on trial publicity limits information the office can provide publicly, with the release mirroring the indictment documents.
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.
