Kentucky Mom Arrested After Leaving Children Alone to Smoke, Smiles in Mugshot

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A 23-year-old mother has been arrested in Pikeville after allegedly leaving her two young children, ages 2 and 4, home alone so she could “go smoke.” The case gained attention after she posed for her mugshot with a grin, despite facing serious child endangerment accusations.

Incident in Pikeville

According to a criminal complaint, police were called to the woman’s apartment around 9 p.m. Monday for a reported domestic disturbance. When officers knocked on the door, the two children opened it, revealing that they had been left unattended.

Investigators later learned the mother had asked a neighbor around 5 p.m. to keep an eye on the children so she could leave, but by the time police arrived, the kids had been alone for several hours.

Mugshot Sparks Reaction

The mother, identified as Morgan Chapman, was taken into custody at the scene. Wearing a striped T-shirt, she appeared to deliberately pose for her mugshot, smiling with her hands on her waist as though for a social media photo.

Court documents state that when Chapman returned, she claimed she had only been gone “for a couple of minutes.” However, officers noted she smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, and was slurring her speech.

Children’s Custody and Family Response

Following the arrest, the children were removed from the apartment and placed in the care of their father, Jordan Chapman, who later addressed the situation on Facebook.

“My kids didn’t even know where she was,” he wrote, criticizing his ex-wife and claiming she had been drinking earlier in the evening. He added that his children were now safe and in his custody.

Child protective services were also called to assist with the case.

The arrest of Morgan Chapman has raised concerns about child safety and parental responsibility. While she has since been released on bond, her case highlights the dangers children can face when left unsupervised. For more Kentucky community news and safety updates, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.