By Abigail Roberts
A Lincoln County caregiver who was arrested after video evidence showed her abusing the adult, nonverbal patient in her care has been indicted by a Lincoln County grand jury.
Sandy G. Whitaker, of Hurricane Ridge Road in Waynesburg, was indicted Dec. 12 on 3 counts of knowingly abusing or neglecting an adult on Nov. 3 through Nov. 12.
The indictment states Whitaker violated KRS. 209.990 (2).
According to the arrest citation, deputies responded to a call from Adult Protection Services and spoke with the sister-in-law of the victim.
Whitaker, 48, was employed as the caretaker of the victim. When asked by law enforcement about reportedly “punching the non-verbal patient in the face and then (grabbing) her by the hair and jerking her head,” Whitaker stated “she has never hit or laid a hand on the victim.”
It wasn’t until Whitaker was advised of her Miranda Rights and told there was video evidence that she admitted to assaulting the person she was paid to care for, according to the citation.
“She states that she has physically beat the victim in the back of the head and on Nov. 12, 2025 video shows the above punching the victim in the face,” the citation states. “She states this happened at least six times in the past year.”
Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Whitaker’s bond was set at $75,000 and she is to have no contact with the victim.
The following people were also indicted by a Lincoln County grand jury on Dec. 12:
- Timothy K. Jones, 26, of Liberty: one count of fleeing or evading police of Oct. 6; one count of wanton endangerment for operating vehicle in manner which created substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to Deputy Chad Combs; and one count of operating a motor vehicle under the influence (with aggravator, alcohol concentration of .15 or more). Deputy Chad Combs testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $10,000.
- Tai Artez Doram, 33. of Louisville: one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) for possessing more than 2 grams of methamphetamine on July 28 with intent to distribute, sell or transfer; one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl) on July 28; and one count of fleeing or evading police. Deputy Austin Price testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $50,000.
- Kayla M. Howell, 33, of Hustonville: one count of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on Aug. 6; one count of possession of a controlled substance (amphetamine); and one count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. Deputy Austin Price testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $7,500.
- Jose Osnaldo Montalvo Moreno, 40, of Knoxville, TN: one count of fleeing or evading police on Oct. 18; one count of wanton endangerment; and one count of operating a motor vehicle under the influence (alcohol concentration of .15 or more). Deputy Chad Combs testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $7,500.
- William H. Padgett, 44, of Lexington: one count of burglary on Aug. 23 for entering or remaining unlawfully in the dwelling of Kendall Johnson with intent to commit a crime and one count of theft by unlawful taking for taking or exercising control of moveable property belonging to Kendall Johnson of a value greater than $10,000. Sgt. Eric Dean testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $15,000. He is to have no contact with Kendall Johnson or his property.
- Albert W. Murphy, 53, of Kings Mountain: one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on Sept. 22 and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Sgt. Eric Dean testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $10,000.
- Ryan K. Ellis, 36, of Kings Mountain: one count of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon on July 8 through July 9. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $10,000.
- Travis A. Folger, 42, of Waynesburg: one count of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on Aug. 7 and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $5,000.
- Dana L. Carter, 52, of Junction City: one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on May 2; one count of possession of drug paraphernalia (baggies, scales); one count of tampering with physical evidence; one count of being a persistent felony offender; and one count of disorderly conduct. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $10,000.
- Dakota B. Means, 34, of Stanford: one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on July 21; one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl); one count of trafficking in a controlled substance (methadone); and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $10,000.
- Misty D. Cremeans, 46, of Stanford: one count of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on March 15 and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $5,000.
- Jason A. Vanhook, 45, of Stanford: one count of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on March 15 and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $5,000.
- Ricky L. Bishop, 58, of Danville: one count of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) on May 3. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $5,000.
- Troy M. Weed, 52, of Lebanon Junction: one count of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon on April 24. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $10,000.
- William R. Nipper, 47, of Radcliff: one count of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon on April 24. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $10,000.
- James K. Adams, 36, of Danville: one count of strangulation on July 19; one count of assault and one count of attempted rape. Deputy Ron Luster testified for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $25,000. He is to have no contact with the victim.
