The most urgent call wasn’t about property damage or a disturbance — it was about a baby being hurt. By the time deputies arrived, a child had already been assaulted, a terrified caregiver was injured, and a second 911 call was reporting an attempted break-in just down the road.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to two nearby homes on Township Road 97 after receiving back-to-back emergency calls involving the same woman.
At the first residence, a homeowner told deputies a woman later identified as Kayla Holbrook was crouched on his back porch near the door and attempting to break inside. Dispatch information warned deputies she may be armed. When officers made contact, Holbrook was partially clothed, uncooperative, and speaking incoherently. After multiple commands were ignored, deputies used force to safely detain her. She was evaluated by EMS and transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Ironton for medical treatment.
While that scene was being secured, deputies at a second residence were responding to a far more disturbing situation.
A woman at the home reported that Holbrook had violently assaulted her infant child. According to statements and deputy observations, the woman said the baby was struck multiple times and jumped on during the attack. Deputies documented blood inside the residence, damaged property, and signs of a struggle. The woman also reported being injured while trying to protect her child.
A nasal suction device used to clear blood from the child’s nose was located, along with blood smears and other evidence. A knife involved during the defensive struggle was also recovered and documented.
EMS transported the woman and both children to a local hospital for evaluation. The caregiver expressed concern that the infant could have suffered internal injuries due to the severity of the assault.
Holbrook remained in custody following her detention and medical transport. The incident, including physical evidence and multiple witness statements, has been forwarded for further investigation and review.
Calls involving violence against children are among the most serious deputies respond to — and in this case, quick action by callers and first responders may have prevented an even more tragic outcome.
