BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

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

Patrick Speer, 34, of Warfield, and Christina Chapman, 40, of Beauty, were arrested following their indictment by a Martin County grand jury Feb. 5. Their charges include 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.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrested Speer, Thursday, while the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chapman, Friday.

Both are in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on $100,000 bonds.

Martin County Coroner Chris Todd investigated the death. He said he contacted the Kentucky State Police and social services “immediately” upon his arrival at the scene.

“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.

Editor’s note: Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Arrests and indictments do not prove guilt or constitute evidence of a crime.