BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Two Martin County residents are facing felony charges in connection with the death of an 11-year-old boy Aug. 13, 2025.

A Martin County grand jury indicted Patrick Speer, 34, of Warfield, and Christina Chapman, 40, of Beauty, charging each with first-degree criminal abuse involving a victim under 12 years of age and second-degree manslaughter.

According to the indictments, Speer and Chapman abused a child under the age of 12 by placing him in a situation that may have caused serious physical injury. The indictments further allege the pair wantonly caused the juvenile’s death.

Bail for both defendants is $100,000.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrested Speer on Thursday. He is in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

Martin County Coroner Chris Todd, the Kentucky State Police and social services investigated at the scene. Todd said he contacted the KSP and social services “immediately.”

“That was a very sad case,” Todd said.

First-degree criminal abuse involving a victim under 12 is a Class B felony punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison. Second-degree manslaughter is a Class C felony punishable by five to 10 years.

Officials have not released additional details.

This is a developing story.