Southern Kentucky man indicted on child abuse, kidnapping charges

SOMERSET, Ky. (WYMT) — A Somerset man has been indicted on multiple felony charges tied to the alleged abuse of an adult and a minor child, according to Sheriff Bobby Jones.

Authorities charged 24-year-old Davin Melton with first-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12, kidnapping of an adult, second-degree stalking, and first-degree wanton endangerment.

The charges stem from an investigation that began on Oct. 1, 2025, when the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division received a complaint involving child abuse. Officials assigned the case to Crimes Against Children Detective Jay Picard.

During the investigation, Picard collected additional evidence that led to multiple charges.

He presented the findings to the Pulaski Grand Jury on April 8. Deputies arrested Melton without incident on April 16 and took him to the Pulaski County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond. He posted bond the same day.

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