Whitwell woman charged with murder of 5-year-old made bond

Holly Rutledge, 30, also known as Holly Hardesty, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse in the March 29, 2015 death of 5-year-old Lucas Dillon, of Whitwell, Tenn.
Holly Rutledge, 30, also known as Holly Hardesty, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse in the March 29, 2015 death of 5-year-old Lucas Dillon, of Whitwell, Tenn.

A Whitwell woman charged with the murder of 5-year-old Lucas Dillon made bond at 4 p.m. yesterday.

Holly Rutledge was arrested on Friday for murder and aggravated child abuse, almost 11 months after her boyfriend's son died from a blunt force trauma to the head.

According to the child's grandfather, Michael Dillon, Lucas was left alone with Rutledge when he picked up his son to take him to work. Just a few hours later, Rutledge called him to say that something had happened to Lucas.

The defendant's bond was set at $50,000, but family members feel it should have been set much higher.

Michael Dillon said, "I've never heard of a 50k bond on first degree murder or child abuse."

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