County Stunned by 14-year-old Boy’s Death

At 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2025, McCreary County 911 Dispatch received an emergency call that would end in tragedy, leaving a 14-year-old boy dead, two adults in custody, and the boy’s family, as well as heartbroken McCreary Countians, grieving and asking, “Why?”

The caller, 45-year-old Jeremy Ridner, dialed 911 to report that Austin Lee Carpenter, a 14-year-old boy, was unresponsive and not breathing.  During the call, dispatch was advised that Ridner was a non-relative to the boy and was identified as the boyfriend of 38-year-old Billie Bolin, Austin’s temporary custodian for the past two years.  Reportedly, Bolin and the boy were 8th cousins, although blood relatives later denied any kinship between the boy and Bolin.  According to the call, the couple had last seen Austin well at 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and arrived home later to find him in the hallway.

Immediately, McCreary County 911 dispatched McCreary EMS and the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office to 7770 West Hwy 92.

 Arriving at the residence and finding Bolin, J. Ridner, and the nonresponsive boy, EMS and law enforcement provided care, transporting Austin, Code 300, to Wayne County Hospital.  Despite emergency treatment, Austin was later pronounced dead at the hospital.  While at the hospital, law enforcement observed serious injuries on the child and immediately launched an investigation.   As McCreary County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement worked overnight and the following day, conducting interviews, Sheriff David Sampson reported that Chief Deputy Dustin Ridner would lead the investigation.

During the initial investigation, a Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office detective and special investigator assigned by Kentucky’s Department for Community-Based Services (DCBS) worked with McCreary County law enforcement.

Less than 24 hours after receiving the frantic 911 call, Deputy Ridner arrested the deceased child’s temporary custodian, Billie Bolin, and her boyfriend, Jeremy J. Ridner.  The arrest occurred on Monday, February 24, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m. The two were initially charged with a felony, Criminal Abuse 1st Degree.  According to the uniform citation, J. Ridner and Bolin admitted knowledge of Austin’s injuries and did not seek medical attention.  Both arrestees were transported and lodged at the Knox County Detention Center.

On Tuesday, February 25, McCreary County Chief Deputy Ridner and Deputy Daniel Taylor, traveled to Frankfort, KY for the autopsy of Austin’s body.

“I can assure the public that I am working diligently on this case,” Chief Deputy Ridner stated.  “I appreciate the support from the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff Sampson, and our other deputies.”

Bolin and J. Ridner appeared in McCreary County District Court on Thursday, February 27.  For more about their initial court appearance, see the related article on page 1 of this week’s issue of McCreary Journal.

The complete obituary of 14-year-old Austin Lee Carpenter is on page 5 of this week’s McCreary Journal.

“A million dollars is not enough.  I probably should just do no bond, but I’ll set it as $1 million cash,” McCreary County District Judge Fred White said from the bench, presiding over the first court appearances of 38-year-old Billie Bolin (female) and 45-year-old Jeremy J. Ridner, the two individuals from Stearns, KY who are each currently charged with a felony, Criminal Abuse 1st degree, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Austin Lee Carpenter.

Obviously disturbed by the case, Judge White noted that what he found from reviewing case-related search warrants was “as heinous and despicable act as I have seen in 40 years of practice.”

Bolin and Ridner appeared together before Judge White on Thursday, February 27, 2025.  As the court appearance ended, Judge White demanded, “Get them out of my courtroom.”

Since a District Court cannot accept pleas of guilt or innocence on felonies, Judge White noted the related matters are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, March 6, 2025.  During the preliminary hearing, a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to the Grand Jury.

Although Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling is and will be the lead prosecutor in the case, his assistant, Josh Lowe, presented on Thursday.  Lowe asked that any bond take into consideration the circumstances of the case.   Lowe noted that an inability to pay does not make a bond excessive.  In this particular case, Lowe pointed out that the child is deceased with preliminary results from the child’s autopsy indicating chemical burns and cigarette burns in various stages of healing (over a long period of time) on the body and blunt force trauma to the head.   Judge White fully agreed with Lowe by setting the hefty bond at $1 million cash.

In a press release from his office, Bowling explained to the public that ethical rules require him not to publicly discuss the details of an ongoing investigation or make inflammatory comments.  He also cautioned the public that the case is still being investigated.

“The McCreary County Sheriff’s Office has worked tirelessly to continue to gather evidence,” Bowling stated.

Bowling said more charges will be brought, based on evidence, not rumors or speculation.

“Those charges will be pursued for the most severe penalties the law will allow,” Bowling stated.  “That is my promise to you, the public.”

Because of the high emotions throughout McCreary County regarding the case, the McCreary County Sheriff’s Department, Courthouse Security, and Jail Transport took extra security measures for Bolin and Ridner’s court appearances.

A preliminary hearing for the two is scheduled on Thursday, March 6, 2025.