GEORGETOWN, Ky. — A Shelbyville woman arrested on suspicion of abandoning her 6-year-old son with autism in Ohio is now facing an additional charge in that state.
Heather Adkins, 32, will face a kidnapping charge when she is extradited back to Ohio from Kentucky, where she was arrested, WRTV sister station WCPO in Cincinnati reported.
She already faced a charge of child endangerment in Ohio.
It's not yet clear why the kidnapping charge was added.
RELATED | Shelbyville mother says she abandoned her son in Ohio 'to save him'
Adkins is currently at the Scott County Jail in Kentucky and faced an extradition hearing Tuesday. Another extradition hearing is set for March 8 and Adkins won't return to Ohio for trial before then, WCPO reported.
She is being represented by Vinnie Morris, a public defender appointed to her. Her bond remains at $10,000 cash.
During a jailhouse interview with WRTV sister station WLEX in Lexington Tuesday, Adkins continued to change her story, saying that her vehicle broke down and she had left her son in the back seat while she went for help. She claims he must have gotten out and taken off walking and that’s when he was found.
RELATED | Gas station employee says woman who allegedly abandoned son was acting belligerent
"I was just really confused at that time,” Adkins told a reporter. “I hadn’t had my medicine and he hadn’t either."
Adkins claimed responsibility for what happened, saying "It’s all on me. I should have known better, being his mother."
She added, "I feel like I should be given another chance."
-
Where ABC, Caitlin Clark and The Fever meet local journalistic TV
WRTV will air a special edition of its All ACcess Indy sports franchise ahead of the Indiana Fever’s 2026 season opener, highlighting one of the most anticipated seasons in franchise history.
Plainfield Fire Territory responds to crash with serious injuries
Plainfield Fire Territory Station 122 responded to the accident at US 40 and County Road 0 around 6:35 a.m., according to a Facebook post from the fire department.
What to expect in Indiana's state primaries
Half of Indiana’s 50 state Senate seats and all 100 state House seats are up for election in 2026. Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers.
IMPD arrests murder suspect in September shooting
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff's Office arrested a murder suspect Sunday after an eight-month investigation.