BELL COUNTY, Ky. — The "Baby Elena" abuse and murder case that horrified and haunted an Eastern Kentucky community for the past two years appears to be coming to a close, but not in the way that family and advocates for the toddler had hoped.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky in Bell County said it is moving forward with a plea deal to secure a conviction against a man accused in the July 2023 death of 17-month-old Elena Hembree.

Baby Elena died from non-accidental blunt force trauma, according to medical records. Elena's mother, Erica Lawson and Harvey Gollahan were both charged with murder and criminal abuse in Elena's death.

Lawson pleaded guilty this spring to murder and other charges related to her death. In exchange for pleading guilty and testifying against Gollahan, she was sentenced

See Full Page