The couple accused of murder in the death of 17-month-old Staten Stephenson entered not guilty pleas in Wayne Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 4.

Kayla Lord and Jared Futrell appeared for arraignment last week, after the two were indicted last month in the July 26 death of Stephenson.

The boy had been transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center on July 16, after he was taken to the Wayne County Hospital Emergency Room for treatment of injuries. He died 10 days later at the Lexington hospital.

Lord and Futrell were arrested on July 27, the day after the toddler died.

According to a complaint filed in the case, the boy arrived at the Wayne County Hospital with “evidence of blunt force trauma and was unresponsive.”

Last Tuesday marked the couple’s first appearance in Wayne Circuit Court. During the proceeding, the court appointed attorneys for each of the defendants. Lord, Staten Stephenson’s mother, will be represented by Joseph Black. Futrell, who is Lord’s boyfriend, will be represented by Jim Cox. Both attorneys are with the Department of Public Advocacy.

Circuit Judge Vernon Miniard, Jr. recused himself from any further court proceedings in this case, noting his relationship to Monticello Police Chief Ralph Miniard, who is involved in the investigation.

Wayne Circuit Clerk Richard Morrow said that a special judge will be appointed for this case by the Chief Regional Circuit Judge.

Lord and Futrell remain lodged in Wayne County Detention Center under $500,000 cash bond each. The issue of bond was not addressed during last week’s court hearing.

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One person was arrested and another was being sought after the discovery of an active meth lab in eastern Wayne County on Wednesday, October 5.

According to information released by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and Operation UNITE, Brittany E. Shrum, 25, of Cumberland Drive, Somerset, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Her boyfriend, Scotty Cowan, of Frazer, fled from the scene as police arrived.

Deputies with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office were investigating a complaint in the area of Bill Bertram Road, which is located off KY 90 near the Pulaski County line, when they spotted the brake lights of a vehicle in a field.

As they pulled up, deputies saw a woman with two children parked near a Buick Century, which was later identified as belonging to Shrum’s family.

Both Shrum and Cowan attempted to run into the woods but Shrum was quickly taken into custody.

According to police, the woman with the children said she was trying to find a gas container, but there was one in the Buick’s trunk.

Also in the trunk was an HCL generator and other items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. A subsequent search resulted in the discovery of an active one-step meth lab under the car, a loaded syringe and bottle of unknown pills, among other items.

The syringe and pills will be sent for analysis and additional charges are possible.

No charges are expected against the other woman at the scene, but as a precaution Wayne County EMS was called to check out the two children.

UNITE detectives were called to handle further investigation and to clean up the meth lab.