WOMEN INDICTED ON CHILD ABUSE CHARGE BY KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE
MAY 26, 2026 – written by WADE QUEEN
DESTINY NASHELLE BROWN, 26, (PHOTO ABOVE); AND MELISSA HOWARD, 36, BOTH OF SALYERSVILLE (NO PHOTO AVAILABLE), KENTUCKY WERE INDICTED ON THE CHARGE OF FIRST DEGREE CRIMINAL ABUSE OF A CHILD UNDER 12 BY A MAGOFFIN COUNTY, KY GRAND JURY VIA THE KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE OF RUSSELL COLEMAN & ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY ANTHONY SKEANS .
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Friday, May 22, of the indictment of two Magoffin County women for the abuse of a young child.
A Magoffin County Grand Jury indicted Destiny Nashelle Brown, 26, and Melissa Howard, 36, both of Salyersville, KY., with one count each of
*Criminal Abuse, First Degree, Child 12 or Under (Class B Felony).
Both of the women each now face a sentence of 10 (ten) to 20 (twenty) years in prison if they are convicted on the abuse charge each of the two have been indicted on.
According to the indictment, the abuse occurred between October 2024 and July 2025. During that time, Melissa Howard allegedly withheld food as punishment and confined the child, who was under 12, within the house without access to food or facilities.
Melissa Howard, who had custody of the child, is alleged to have hit the child and allowed Destiny Brown to do the same.
Magoffin County court documents revealed Destiny Brown allegedly abused the child in the same way as Melissa Howard, withholding food and not providing the child with access to the bathroom.
The Kentucky State Police investigated the case. Assistant Attorney General Tony Skeans presented the case before the Magoffin County Grand Jury on behalf of the Commonwealth.
(This is not proof of guilt or innocence but a charge that enough evidence exists to warrant a trial).
