Ashland couple plead not guilty to murder

Published 12:05 am Sunday, February 7, 2016

Leslie Daniels and Nora Sawyers.

Leslie Daniels and Nora Sawyers.

 

CATLETTSBURG, Ky. — Two Ashland residents charged in connection with the death of their 3-month-old son pleaded not guilty to charges on Friday.

Leslie David Daniels, 27, and Nora F. Sawyers, 28, were in Boyd County Circuit Court after being charged with murder in connection with the June 13 death of Landen Daniels.

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Daniels and Sawyers were arrested Monday in Ashland and their bond was set at $100,000 cash each.

Landen Daniels, was discovered unresponsive on June 10, 2015, and taken to King’s Daughters Medical Center, where he died of his injuries three days later.

An investigation by Ashland police, the Boyd County Coroner’s Office, Child Protective Services and the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office led to the indictment in the death, which has been ruled a homicide.

Authorities said the infant’s injuries, which included bleeding in the brain and a detached retina, were from blunt force trauma consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

Daniels and Sawyers were appointed an attorney on Friday. A reduction of their bond was denied, according to the Boyd County Circuit Clerk’s office.

Their case is set for a Feb. 19 review.