Dentist accused of covering up murder can return to work

The dentist in Kentucky who was arrested for allegedly helping his son cover up the 2023 murder of a woman has been granted permission to return to work to keep his dental practice afloat, according to multiple news reports.

Dr. Michael K. McKinney II. Image courtesy of Floyd County Smiles.

Dr. Michael K. McKinney II, who was charged with eight counts of complicity to tampering with evidence in connection with the murder of 38-year-old Amber Spadlin, is permitted to help train another dentist at his practice, Floyd County Smiles, according to reports.

McKinney, who was released on a $250,000 bail and placed on house arrest, is permitted to work daily in an administrative capacity, but he cannot provide dental care to patients. In August, the state dental board temporarily suspended McKinney's dental license.

In July, Michael "M.K." McKinney III was charged with murder and eight counts of complicity to tampering with evidence. Michael K. McKinney, along with Josh Mullins, were arrested and accused with M.K. McKinney III of engaging in a "complicated scheme" to conceal the handle of the knife used to slay Spradlin, destroying M.K. McKinney III's clothing, and cleaning up the woman's blood in the sink and laundry room of the dentist's house. Mullins is also charged with eight counts of complicity to tampering with evidence.

Additionally, the men allegedly destroyed a surveillance camera that would have captured the murder, the video recorder with footage from the surveillance cameras, as well as the hard drive of the only computer in the home that would have had information about the cameras.

On June 17, 2023, Spradlin finished her shift at a restaurant owned by the elder McKinney and then allegedly left with the dentist and another man and headed to an inn. Eventually, they arrived at the dentist’s home. On June 18, 911 was called to the home, where authorities found that Spradlin had been stabbed 11 times in the head, neck, and throat.