Parents of 13-month-old with cigarette burns arrested for abuse

Two Corbin residents were arrested at approximately 10:33 p.m. on June 29 on charges of criminal abuse of the first degree after their 13-month-old daughter was found to have infected cigarette burns on her backside.

Jessica Mae Sams, 26, and Thomas Lee Tallon, 26, are the biological parents of the victim.

The child was treated at St. Joseph London before being transported to UK Medical Center in Lexington.

The arrest was made in response to an investigation conducted by social services. The child was removed from the home and placed into protective custody.

In addition to the criminal abuse charge, Sams is also being charged with promoting contraband of the first degree after staff at the Laurel County Detention Center allegedly found three needles, Suboxone and suspected methamphetamine on her person during a search.

Sams is being on held on a $10,000 bond. Both are being held in the Laurel County Detention Center.