INEZ, Ky. (WMDJ) — Two Martin County parents have been indicted following an investigation into the death of an 11-year-old boy.

The child died on August 13, 2025. Since then, the case has been investigated by multiple agencies, including Kentucky State Police and social services. On Thursday, a Martin County grand jury returned indictments against the child’s parents.

Patrick Speer and Christina Chapman are each charged with first-degree criminal abuse and second-degree manslaughter. According to the indictments, the charges stem from allegations that the child was intentionally placed in a situation that could cause physical injury and that his death was wantonly caused.

Speer, 34, was arrested Thursday by the Martin County Sheriff’s Department. He was lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville. His bond has been set at $100,000.

Chapman was also assigned a $100,000 bond through the indictment. As of this writing, she hasn't been booked into jail.