Couple Charged With Infant Criminal Abuse Extradited From Indiana

Warning: Disturbing Content

Aurora Hamilton, 21, and Benjamin Reale, 18, both of Smiths Grove.

Darren Doyle, story:
An Edmonson County couple charged with Criminal abuse of an infant has been extradited from Indiana to Kentucky and are currently in the Hart County Jail.
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Kentucky State Police Post 3 said in a press release they received a call from the Indiana State Police on April 23, 2026 about a two-month old infant who had been dropped off at a family member's home in Salem, Indiana by the child's parents. According to KSP, the family member immediately took the infant to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis due to the child's condition. Police said that as a result of the infant's injuries, the child was air-lifted to Norton's Children's Hospital in Louisville.

In a joint investigation from both KSP and Indiana State Police, arrest warrants were obtained for both  Aurora Hamilton, 21, and Benjamin Reale, 18, both of Smiths Grove, KSP stated.

According to a criminal complaint document from Edmonson District Court, both Hamilton and Reale had previously been living with a couple on Cox Road near the Rocky Hill community. According to the complaint document, the owners of the Cox Road residence documented several instances of neglect and abuse while Hamilton and Reale lived with them. The document stated that both Hamilton and Reale reportedly argued who was supposed to care for the infant, the infant was rarely fed, and that the baby was given tap water. 

The complaint document further stated that the child's "near fatal condition is a result of not being fed and egregious medical and nutritional neglect." The complaint also described "rib fractures are diagnostic of inflicted child physical abuse." The document also noted other possible bone fractures.

Hamilton and Reale were both charged with Criminal Abuse 1st degree (victim under 12), and endangering the welfare of a minor. 

According to KRS 508.100, First degree criminal abuse of a child under 12 is determined as an "intentional act leading to severe injury/torture." It is a Class B Felony, punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison.

They were first lodged at Jackson County Detention Center in Indiana and were extradited to Hart County Jail on Friday, May 8th where they each remain on a $25,000 cash bond.

According to KSP, the child is currently out of pediatric ICU, is gaining weight and continues to recover.