Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Conway Announces Murray Couple Sentenced In Child Abuse Case

Attorney General Jack Conway and his Office of Special Prosecutions today announced the sentencing of a Murray man and woman for their roles in a Calloway County child abuse case.

"My administration has continued to make the protection of children, from abuse in any form, its top priority," said General Conway. "I commend the work of all state, local and nonprofit agencies whose efforts resulted in stopping this horrific course of events and ensuring the evidence necessary for this conviction and sentence."

Calloway Circuit Judge Dennis Faust sentenced Carol Elizabeth Erwin, pursuant to the Attorney General's recommendation, to 10 years in prison for assault first degree, criminal abuse first degree, criminal abuse second degree, and two counts intimidating a participant in the legal process. As the primary culpable defendant, the conviction classifies Erwin as a violent offender, requiring that she serve 85% of the 10-year sentence without probation, shock probation or parole.

Judge Faust also today formally sentenced Erwin's co-defendant, Derek Wade Chandler. Pursuant to the Attorney General's recommendation, Chandler was sentenced to four years in prison without probation or shock probation, on two counts of complicity to criminal abuse second degree and two counts complicity to intimidating a participant in the legal process. Chandler waived any request for parole as part of his plea agreement and is required to serve out the entirety of his sentence.

The investigation into this matter revealed that Erwin inflicted a year-long course of abuse on a four-year-old child in her care, including numerous broken ribs, head injuries, and a leg burn. Chandler was convicted for permitting the abuse by Erwin to continue without intervention, despite his duty to protect the child.

The convictions stem from an investigation by the Calloway County Sheriff's Office and child abuse forensic work by the University of Louisville Pediatric Forensics Program. Prosecutors of the Office of Special Prosecutions handled the case at the written request of the Calloway County Sheriff and with the cooperation of Commonwealth's Attorney Mark Blankenship.