The man who was arrested and charged in connection to the death of his girlfriend’s daughter back in 2019 has received a prison sentence.

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – A Pulaski County woman learned Thursday how long she’ll spend in prison for her role in her daughter’s 2019 death. Moore was originally charged with child abuse and reckless care of a child; however, she was found not guilty of the child abuse charge back in August 2020. In July 2019, authorities arrested Moore and her boyfriend, Adrian Puckett, after 3-year-old Josie Burleson drowned in the New River while the pair was under the influence of meth, according to Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan. At the time of her disappearance, authorities said more than 100 people were searching for Josie for more than 5 and a half hours. AdAt the time, Dunagan told 10 News that while there have been drownings in the New River before, “when it’s a small child, it’s really different.

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – A woman and her boyfriend are each facing felony child abuse charges in connection with 3-year-old Josie Burleson’s death. 10 News previously reported that Kimberly Moore and her boyfriend Adrian Puckett were high on meth when Josie wandered off and drowned in the New River in July, according to Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan. Adrian Puckett (left), Kimberly Moore (right). Puckett’s arraignment was initially delayed because even after Josie’s death, he was still too high to appear in court. A Wythe County grand jury indicted Moore and Puckett on Tuesday.

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. - A 3-year-old girl who drowned in the New River on Wednesday will be buried over the weekend. Her mother's boyfriend, Adrian Puckett, who was arrested in connection with her death, is still too high on meth to appear in court. Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan said the autopsy revealed Josie drowned. He would see Puckett, Moore and little Josie almost every day. "Nothing that happens in the courtroom is going to bring Josie back," said Wythe County Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Jones.

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. - Authorities arrested a 3-year-old girl's mother and her boyfriend after the girl drowned in the New River while the pair was under the influence of meth, according to Wythe County Sheriff Keith Dunagan. Josie Burleson was found dead in the New River just after 1 a.m. Wednesday after authorities say her mother, Kimberly Moore, and boyfriend, Adrian Puckett, reported her missing. Moore and Puckett told authorities that Burleson was playing near the New River trail outside of their rental property on Rocky Road when she wandered off. Dunagan said there have been drownings in the New River before, but "when it's a small child, it's really different. Probably the worst thing for the responders is the fact that it is a small child because it tugs at your heart a little bit more."