Jury Convicts Lauren Baker Of Murder, Importing Fentanyl, Two Counts Of Trafficking Fentanyl, & Sentences Her To 33 Years Prison
On April 21, 2023, at the conclusion of a week-long trial, a Kenton County jury took less than two hours to find Lauren Ashley Baker, 35, guilty of Murder, Importing Fentanyl, and two counts of Trafficking Fentanyl. During the sentencing portion of the trial on April 25, 2023, the same jury sentenced Baker to a total of thirty-three years in prison.
Baker was arrested by Ludlow Police on March 18, 2021 after first responders were called to her residence in the 200 block of Stokesay Street for an overdose. Ludlow Fire Department and Life Squad found Baker’s twenty-four month old son, Jaxson Vogt, unconscious and unresponsive on Baker’s bedroom floor. Ludlow Police officers found the contents of Baker’s purse, including a sizable quantity of the deadly opioid drug, fentanyl, scattered across her bed. Police also discovered empty Narcan packaging as well.
Investigation by Ludlow Police Detective Jason Compton revealed Baker was home alone with the child while his father was at work. When the father returned home and woke Baker, she discovered her son’s lifeless body in her lap. Baker screamed and the father of the boy called 911. Baker would later tell Compton she used her federal stimulus check to purchase $1,200 worth of fentanyl from a drug dealer in Cincinnati. Baker also admitted to sharing the fentanyl with Jaxson’s father and another woman in Ludlow.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Maria Wentz and Taylor Roof called 15 witnesses and presented over 90 pieces of evidence during the weeklong trial. Ludlow Fire Chief Mike Steward testified about emergency medical efforts to save Jaxson and remaining with him at Children’s Hospital Medical Center for almost an hour while doctors continued efforts to save him. Ludlow Police Officers Eric Love and Sam Hodge testified about the crime scene, collecting Baker’s bedding as evidence, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia found in Baker’s bedroom. Compton’s testimony included a video of Baker’s questioning on the night her son died. Dr. Anne Laib from the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office testified about Jaxon’s overdose and ruled the case a homicide.
Jurors also heard testimony from Jaxon’s father, who admitted using some of the fentanyl Baker purchased, another woman who also admitted using some fentanyl provided by Baker, and a different Ludlow woman who was paid $60 to drive Baker to Cincinnati when she purchased the deadly drugs.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders, who refused to make any plea offers in the case, asked the jury to send Baker to prison for Life. “Given the shocking and offensive facts surrounding Jaxson’s death, if she was going to get anything less than a life sentence, it wasn’t going to come from me,” said Sanders. “This is Kenton County’s first Murder conviction for an overdose death, so it’s sadly historic,” Sanders said. “The jury sent a strong message to drug abusing parents that they’ll be held accountable for Murder if their child dies as a result of their drug use.”
As a violent offender, Baker must serve at least twenty years in prison before being eligible for parole.
For additional information contact:
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders
rsanders@prosecutors.ky.gov
(859) 292-6580
Posted on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 @ 12:57PM
Categories: Blog, Commonwealth's Commentary, Media/Press Releases, Press Room
