(ORIGINAL STORY)
Bell County Man Faces Multiple Child Abuse Charges

A man previously arrested in Harlan County in August is back in custody following a recent indictment by a Bell County Grand Jury.

According to the Bell County Sheriff’s Department, the investigation leading to the indictment of 44-year-old Christopher Shipman, of Cumberland, Kentucky, was conducted by Sgt. Jody Risner and Detective Hunter Luttrell.

Shipman was originally taken into custody on August 21, 2025, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies.

On Monday night, November 17th, Shipman was served an indictment warrant in Harlan County. Assistance was provided by the Evarts Police Department, Harlan Police Department, and the Harlan County Sheriff’s Department.

Shipman has been indicted on the following charges:

• Two counts of Sodomy, 1st Degree – Victim Under 12

• Two counts of Sexual Abuse, 1st Degree – Victim Under 12

• Strangulation, 1st Degree

He is currently lodged in the Bell County Detention Center.

The Bell County Sheriff’s Department reports that additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

BELL COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT. STATEMENT BELOW

This report was compiled using information gathered from law enforcement statements, official press releases, and publicly available news sources.

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UPDATE! 11-19-25
BELL COUNTY, Ky. — The Bell County Sheriff’s Department has issued an update in a disturbing and graphic case involving the death of an unborn child.

On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Detective Hunter Luttrell filed an additional charge of Fetal Homicide against Christopher Shipman.

According to investigators, the charge stems from an incident that occurred on or around October 28, 2019. Detectives allege that Shipman intentionally caused the death of an unborn child belonging to a female victim who was approximately 14 weeks pregnant at the time.

Deputy Luttrell reports that Shipman is accused of repeatedly punching and kicking the victim in the stomach, causing severe pain that resulted in the loss of the pregnancy on the floor of the residence. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of the victim’s 5-year-old child.

Shipman is further accused of disposing of the remains in a toilet following the assault.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details have been released at this time.