LANETT, Ala. (WDNews) — A Chambers County woman has been charged with murder following an investigation into the June death of her 2-year-old daughter, according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office. Chambers County is located in east Alabama, about three hours northeast of Dothan.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies and Lanett EMS responded to a residence on County Road 187 in the Cusseta area at approximately 9 a.m. on June 12 after receiving a report of a 2-year-old girl who was not breathing.
Authorities said deputies rendered first aid until paramedics arrived. Lanett EMS transported the child to East Alabama Medical Center Lanier, where she was pronounced dead. The child’s body was then sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.
The sheriff’s office said the child was later identified as Madilynn Hadaway.
According to investigators, the investigation resulted in the arrest of the child’s mother, Sierra Shay Hadaway, 22, of Lanett, who has been charged with murder.
Investigators said they learned during the investigation that “the child’s arms, legs and ankles were bound and she was placed face down on a bed for more than twelve hours. It is believed the child died from asphyxiation.”
The sheriff’s office also stated that “a male suspect, identified as Christian Myles Sturkie, died from a self inflicted gunshot wound on June 14, 2026.”
According to authorities, Hadaway is being held at the Chambers County Detention Facility without bond.
The case remains under investigation by the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, the 5th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
