Paducah Woman Faces Child Abuse Charges

A Paducah woman was arrested Thursday, after police say she gave prescription medication to a child in her care.



According to Paducah Police, 31-year-old April R. Burns was arrested just before noon on charges of second-degree criminal abuse of a child and dispensing, prescribing or administering a controlled substance (first offense).



Police said they were called when the mother of a five-month-old child brought the infant to Baptist Health Paducah late Tuesday evening. The infant was lethargic and the mother was unable to fully wake her.



Tests showed the infant had been given a benzodiazepine (anti-anxiety medication). The infant was admitted to the hospital, but since has been released and is expected to fully recover.



Police said that Burns, who was babysitting the child Monday while the mother was at work, was arrested after being interviewed. She was booked into McCracken County Regional Jail.