Paducah woman accused of child abuse after girl taken to hospital

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) – A Paducah woman faces assault and abuse charges after a child was taken to a hospital.

Jessica Banton, 35, faces charges of assault 1st degree and criminal abuse 1st degree (victim under 12).

The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office was contacted in January 2024 by an out-of-state children’s hospital.

Sheriff’s deputies say three-year-old girl arrived at hospital suffering from fractured bones and injuries consistent with abuse.

A lengthy investigation was launched.

Banton, the child’s biological mother, was arrested in Ballard County.

She was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail and held on $100,000 cash bond.