Thursday night, a McCreary County jury convicted Matthew Deaton and Amanda Riddle of Criminal Abuse, 1st Degree (x3), Stangulation, 1st Degree, and Tampering with Witnesses.Deaton and Riddle were prosecuted by Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys John Reynolds and Josh Price. They were investigated by Trooper Craig Reed by the Kentucky State Police.
Thanks to teachers at a local elementary school speaking up and reporting concerning bruising on kids in their classroom, Trooper Reed was able to successfully investigate and confirm a horrible home life for two innocent kids.
The jury recommended Deaton serve 40 years in prison for the abuse and Riddle serve 37 years
for failing to protect her children from ongoing abuse.
They are scheduled for formal sentencing before the Hon. Judge Dan Ballou. Both Defendants will be required to serve 85% of their sentences before being eligible for parole.