A West Virginia woman is in jail after a police responded to a 911 call about a handcuffed child who escaped her home and ran to a neighbor for help.
The Charleston Police Department is charging Laura Southworth, 54, with child abuse and unlawful restraint following a wellness check of her home. The wellness check was initiated by a 911 call from a neighbor, who discovered the handcuffed child on their porch.
Law enforcement responded to the home, which they described as "extremely messy."
"Upon further investigation, evidence of abuse and neglect was discovered to have taken place inside the juvenile's home," Lt. Tony Hazelett said in a news release from the Charleston PD.
KFOX14 reported that Southworth admitted to investigators that she handcuffed the child Sunday evening for making a mess, "stealing food" and placing it in hidden areas, and trying to leave the house without permission.
According to Southworth's arraignment, four children between the ages of 3 and 16 live with her.
The police, child protective services, and the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney's office are collaborating on the ongoing investigation.
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