Kentucky father pleads guilty after infant daughter dies from head injuries in lexington case
Ambulance - File Photo

Kentucky father pleads guilty after infant daughter dies from head injuries in Lexington case

Posted by
1 min read
June 6, 2026

A 9-month-old girl’s death inside a Lexington home has led to a murder conviction after investigators said the child suffered fatal head trauma while her siblings watched. The case, centered on a July 2023 incident on Whitney Avenue, has moved toward sentencing following a guilty plea by the child’s father.

LEXINGTON, KY – Syied Malik-Kawon Epps, 31, has pleaded guilty to murder in connection with the death of his daughter, Sy’kia Epps, according to local reports and jail records reviewed by Law&Crime. Authorities have recommended a 25-year prison sentence, with sentencing scheduled for July 1.

Officers responded to a home on Whitney Avenue on July 26, 2023, after the infant was taken to a hospital with life-threatening brain trauma. Investigators said Epps initially told them the child had been with a babysitter when she was injured, but he could not provide identifying details.

“He couldn’t provide last name, phone number, anything other than a physical description,” Lexington Police Detective Paul Hogan testified, according to WKYT.

Children’s statements and video evidence
Investigators later determined Epps was at the home during the timeframe in question, citing security camera footage. Three children inside the residence told authorities they witnessed what happened.

“All three stated that Mr. Epps had dropped their sister on her head,” Hogan said. “One articulated … ‘Daddy smashed her on her head really hard and she was upside down.'”

The child died four days after the incident. Epps was initially arrested on July 27, 2023, and charged with assault before the charge was upgraded to murder following her death.

Alleged threats during argument
According to testimony, the incident unfolded while Epps was arguing with the children’s mother, who was at work at the time. During that exchange, investigators said he made threatening remarks about the children.

“He stated he needed to come get her ‘roaches,’ referring to the children, and that if she was home one minute late from work, they would be waiting out on the porch,” Hogan said.

The case now awaits final sentencing, with prosecutors recommending a 25-year term.

Lexington Kentucky murder, Syied Malik-Kawon Epps, infant death case, Whitney Avenue incident, child abuse fatal injury

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version