Mother Arrested For Giving Wine To Baby

Save

Posted: 6:01 PM Aug 20, 2008
Last Updated: 6:01 PM Aug 20, 2008

17 comments

A | A | A

She says she was just trying to put her baby to sleep, but a mother's method got her arrested at the state fair.

The sheriff's department in Jefferson County says Kathryn Bowen bought a cup of wine at the horse show at Freedom Hall, but Bowen apparently didn't intend to drink it, or drink all of it.

Two police officers were watching nearby.

"The deputy and the corrections officer observed her remove the bottle from a bag, uncap the bottle, place the contents of the glass into the bottle and then handed it to the baby who then proceeded to consume it," said Major Chris Hancock of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

Officers quickly arrested Bowen.

She's charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, a misdemeanor.

More Stories
Lexington doctor killed in shooting

Ky. congressmen receive threatening letters

Kentucky soldiers to help farm in Afghanistan

Cleaning up cigarette butts

Police/Safety Officials Meet About Deadly Lincoln Accidents

Historical home burns

Same suspect in two Leslie County murders

5th victim dies following Louisville fire

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: jed Location: kansas city on Sep 1, 2008 at 07:47 PM
I know this woman. She is a wonderful lady, and her baby was given back the next day as the civil case was dismissed. There was no substance found in the infant, and the media should be ashamed of finding someone guilty before gathering all of the facts. This is a beautiful woman, and that is why they were watching her. She is also a giving, loving individual who has donated money and time to charity. too bad there aren't more people like her is this world.

Posted by: Bubba Johnson Location: Stanford on Aug 23, 2008 at 07:17 PM
The mother is probably a democrat: dumbed-down and ignorant.

Posted by: Mom Location: KY on Aug 23, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Certainly sounds like the baby was used to drinking doesn't it. Mike , I agree with you-she could give the baby one of HER cigarettes and HER food stamp card-I'm sure she has them both to go with her wine.

Posted by: Bill on Aug 23, 2008 at 07:18 AM
This is a reason to jail some one??Its her baby not yours,or some bisy bodies.Show me a Democrat Bap. and I'll show you a nose in some one else's crack.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:23 PM
ALISH IN CARLISLE: IF THEY HAD SAID ANYTHING TO HER BEFORE SHE LET THE BABY HAVE IT, IT WOULD HAVE DIED ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN. I HALF WAY DECENT ATT. WOULD HAVE GOT THAT DIMISSED IN A HEARTBEAT. BUT NOW NOT MUCH ANYONE CAN DO ABOUT IT. SHE WILL GET CONVICTED ON IT. TO ANY STUPID MORON THAT THINKS IT IS OK FOR BABIES TO DRINK WINE: THEY NEED TO HAVE THERE KIDS REMOVED BY SOCIAL SERVICES TOO. YOU PEOPLE ARE STUPID. ITS THE ONES LIKE YOU THAT LEAVE THERE KIDS IN HOT CARS. ANYONE WHO THINKS THIS IS OK IS JUST PLAIN DUMB. MIKE YOU ALSO HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!LOL

Posted by: Jessica Location: Richmond on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:23 AM
I agree with Chris in Baghdad. Enough said.....

Posted by: whitney Location: paris on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:06 AM
She should go to jail you dont give a child alcohol.

Posted by: AJ Location: Morehead on Aug 22, 2008 at 08:57 AM
There are better ways to soothe a baby's gums than the use of wine. If she can afford a cup of wine at the State Fair she can afford teething gel!

Posted by: Ellen Location: Frankfort on Aug 22, 2008 at 07:29 AM
No infant should be given alcohol to consume no matter what uneducated old wives remedy has been used in the past. Products are made to soothe the pain babies go through when teething. Even a drop of vanilla extract on a Q-tip can be rubbed on sore gums to numb the pain but anyone who gives a baby alcohol to drink needs parenting classes immediately.

Posted by: MOM Location: Versailles on Aug 22, 2008 at 07:08 AM
I agree with Alisha, why did the officers stand there and let the baby drink it?

Posted by: earwig Location: Prestonsburg on Aug 22, 2008 at 12:10 AM
If she does this in a public place it's fearful to think what she gives the child at home.

Posted by: Harrison on Aug 21, 2008 at 10:42 PM
must be a Republican.

Posted by: SHARON Location: Ky. on Aug 21, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Maybe the mother really needed to get the baby to sleep. Maybe she had a party to go to. Stupid parents will do anything so that their children are not a bother to them.Sad children always pay the price for having dumb parents.

Posted by: Besnik Location: Richmond on Aug 21, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Lord have Mercy what kind of mom is this???

Posted by: Alisha Location: Carlisle on Aug 21, 2008 at 02:19 PM
I would like to know why the cops allowed her enough time to give the bottle to the baby and allow it to drink the wine!! I'm sure they have some reason, i.e. they needed proof of what her actions would be but I would think putting wine into a baby bottle is proof enough of the intention.

Posted by: MOTHER Location: LONDON on Aug 21, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Ok, This is a method that been used for years to get babies to sleep when they are teething.. It soothes their gums. I'm sure this woman didn't give the baby a lethol amount, just enough to help the infant feel better. You ppl are nuts leaving all of these horrible comments.. there are much worse parents out there!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Morehead on Aug 21, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Careful Mike, your rude little comment would include you as well. How crazy was this woman; mothers should instinctively know how to put their babies to sleep without the aid of alcohol.

Posted by: Joey Location: Lex on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:58 AM
I can see it now "Gerber's Wine Coolers...if you're gonna spit up, you might as well have a reason!"

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Idiot! People should be made to take parenting classes. She could have seriously made her baby very ill, even killed the poor little thing! Stupidity is an excuse that goes out the window when you have kids, why was she so desperate for the baby to go to sleep anyway, maybe she should have gone home instead of drugging the child. Two words for ya honey selfish and dumb!

Posted by: doug Location: floyd on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:03 AM
hellooooooooo..... i guess it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around.what is wrong with people in the world today.

Posted by: Miguel Location: St. Augustine, FL on Aug 21, 2008 at 01:18 AM
Gee, that sounds like a Pike County trick -- get the baby drunk! I done seen it done at partys in Pikeville!

Posted by: Chris Location: baghdad on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:30 AM
How is this any worse than the old remedy of using a spoon of whiskey and honey? heck, you're not supposed to give honey to babies, and wine's healthier...

Posted by: Bender Location: Lexington on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:57 PM
This is the direct result of a reproductive system functioning wonderfully and a central nervous system functioning at 1/3 capacity.

Posted by: Mike Location: Lex on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Now all she had to do was give the baby a cigarette and a food stamp debit card and the baby would be a bonafide Kentuckian.

Posted by: Steve Location: Lexington on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Yet another reason to not go to the State Fair, it's mostly a cesspool of the worst Kentucky has to offer, running around in circles drinking alcohol like it is banned the rest of the year, throwing trash all over the place, and buying studded belts with rebel flags stitched into them. I certainly hope social services takes the kid away from her because she's apparently not fit to be a mother, while there are thousands of good, loving couples out there who are unable to have children. Life is so unfair to those who are the best in our society, yet very liberal with the worst we have to offer in the human race.

	Classifieds THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free.

	Rental Guide Video tours to help you find your next apartment.

	Happy Hour Deals Save 50% from local merchants.

	Desktop Alert Download weather alerts to your computer desktop.

	Print Free Offers & Coupons From local restaurants, retail stores, & service businesses.

	Experts Got a question? Ask our Health Experts.

	WKYT Archives Looking for a video clip?

	Everyday Heroes Is someone you know a hero?

	Crime Find out how Ray Larson is stopping crime.

	Crimestoppers Help bring criminals to justice.