Richardson Sentenced 20 Years For 2019 Murder of Drowned Child In Water Crash

Alexandra Richardson (31), formerly of Wingfield.

Darren Doyle, story:
Judge Tim Coleman sentenced Alexandra Richardson (31) of Wingfield to 20 years in prison today in Edmonson Circuit Court as a result of an earlier guilty plea she entered for murder in the 2019 incident where she drove into Alexander Creek while intoxicated, and her 20-month old son drowned.

Commonwealth Attorney Blake Chambers said Richardson entered a guilty plea to murder, wanton endangerment-first degree, and a DUI. The 20-year sentence requires 85% serve time (17yrs) before parole eligibility.

The incident, which made headlines across multiple states, and was first reported by the Edmonson Voice, took place on December 2, 2019 on Oak Hill Road. The road had been closed due to severe flooding of Alexander Creek, which had risen over the bridge on that night. The Edmonson County Road Department had closed the road earlier and placed a large reflective barricade in the road to prevent anyone from driving further.

Richardson first told law enforcement that she didn't see the sign, which took up nearly both lanes of traffic, and mistakenly drove into the creek. She also first told law enforcement that she tried swimming with her son but a current swept him out of her arms, causing first responders to enter the icy creek to find him.

First responders found the unresponsive boy in the creek later that night. He was rushed to hospital and placed on life support but he died the next day.

Evidence at the scene showed that her vehicle went off-road and around the road closed sign and entered the creek, according to law enforcement.

She was later found to be intoxicated and admitted to smoking both meth and marijuana earlier. A search warrant was obtained for Richardson's residence on December 4, 2019 but she was not there when officers arrived, according to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office. A search with K-9 indicated the odor of drugs and a subsequent detailed search of the residence revealed a small amount of suspected marijuana and methamphetamine. ​

Richardson was charged with murder on December 4, 2019 and located and arrested the next day. The case was investigated and handled by the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office with Deputy Wally Ritter, now with the Grayson County Sheriff's Office, serving as lead investigator.

"This case was the most egregious and reckless case I was involved in during my time with Edmonson County," Deputy Ritter said. "Dozens of first responders were involved with this case, and everyone was grief-stricken. I’m very glad that Mr. Chambers was able to reach a plea bargain so that the child victim received justice and all involved won't have to re-live it on the witness stand."

Richardson is currently lodged in the Kentucky Correctional Institute For Women where she is already serving a 5-year sentence for Criminal Facilitation Manufacturing Methamphetamine-first offense and Controlled Substance Danger to a Child-4th degree (from a 2015 arrest). Her 20 year murder sentence will begin when her current sentence is served, in approximately 18 months.