A man who lived with his sister’s family in Albany, Kentucky, is facing murder charges after a toddler girl died on Sunday, days after her throat was slit.
The Lexington Herald Reader reports that 33-year-old Emanuel Fluter is accused of slitting the throat of 3-year-old Josephine Bulubenchi, in what Clinton County Sheriff Jim Guffey called the “the most horrendous crime” he’s seen in the small town of Albany since his 15 years on the job. The incident occurred on Friday night.
Fluter apparently moved in with his sister, Simona Bulubenchi, and her husband, Benjamin Bulubenchi, and their nine children, which included Josephine. Although it remains unclear why the attack occurred, authorities said Benjamin heard his daughter scream through a baby monitor and when he rushed in her bedroom to check on her, he found her with a slit throat and the suspect standing over her. According to Guffey, Fluter also cut Benjamin.
Emanuel Fluter now charged with murder in 3-year-old’s death at Clinton County home. Apparently the uncle lived with family that included 9 other kids. No word yet on why this happened. More on @WKYT pic.twitter.com/oPhgjE5SBE
— Phil Pendleton (@philtvnews) December 10, 2018
Four other children were reportedly present in the bedroom when the incident happened.
Authorities rushed the toddler to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead the following day, after emergency surgery. Guffey said they’re still looking into the motive behind that attack, but it’s not likely that Fluter was on drugs.
“He was not acting like he was on anything,” Guffey said.
Fluter is facing four counts of wanton endangerment, an assault charge, and a murder charge. He remains behind bars on a $1 million bond. WKYT reporter Phil Penderton reported that the Clinton County Jail staff indicated that the suspect was “extremely violent.” Authorities couldn’t get a mugshot of him until the following morning after his arrest.
Clinton Co. Jail staff says murder suspect in 3-year-old’s death was “extremely violent” and they had to wait until this morning…after Saturday arrest… to take his mug shot. More on the arrest and the community’s shock at 5-6 @WKYT pic.twitter.com/vWmjwdsDSi
— Phil Pendleton (@philtvnews) December 10, 2018
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to help them with funeral and burial expenses.
The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Josephine Bulubenchi/GoFundMe]