Corbin woman charged with endangering toddlers

A Corbin woman is facing charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and wanton endangerment after Knox County Sheriff’s deputies say she consumed alcohol and then went to sleep, during which two toddlers were seen throwing items out a second-story household window Thursday night.

Deputies arrested 23-year-old Jenny Lee Shelton at Spider Creek Apartments in Corbin.

Deputy William Stewart, the department’s public affairs officer, said deputies were called to the scene about 11:15 in response to a report that two small children were climbing out of a second floor window at the complex.

Deputy Mikey Ashurst responded to the call, reporting that numerous people were standing in the yard outside the apartment that had been littered with household items.

“A witness told deputy Ashurst that they noticed two small children ages one year old and two years old throwing household items from the window and attempting to climb out,” Stewart said adding the witnesses stated they had knocked on the apartment door but no one answered.

Stewart said Ashurst spoke with the children through the second floor window, telling them to stay back away from the window and that he was going to come inside and see them.

Stewart said when Ashurst knocked and received no answer, he had to break the glass out of the door to gain entry inside and went upstairs to secure the children.

Stewart said Ashurst then searched the apartment, finding a woman, later identified as Shelton in an upstairs bedroom.

Stewart said Ashurst also found a third child asleep inside the apartment.

Shelton was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and three counts of second-degree wanton endangerment.

Shelton has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held in the Knox County Detention Center on a $5,000 fully-secured bond.

Shelton is scheduled to return to Knox District Court on May 9 for a pretrial conference.