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Elkins man facing abuse charge

Wolf

ELKINS — A Randolph County man is behind bars after allegedly physically abusing and strangling a juvenile.

Robert Alan Wolf, 47, of Mill Creek, is charged with one felony count of child abuse resulting in injury and one felony count of strangulation. He is incarcerated at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond, set by Randolph County Magistrate George M. “Mike” Riggleman.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court, on Sept. 15, West Virginia State Police Cpl. K.A. Corley received a referral from the Department of Health and Human Resources to investigate a child abuse complaint.

The referral indicated that the alleged victim, a 10-year-old, had “unexplained injuries that caused for some person(s) to make the referral” to Child Protective Services.

A forensic interview of the alleged victim was conducted, showing that Wolf had physically abused him, which caused bruises that looked like knuckle marks below his right eye, the complaint states.

Red marks were observed on the alleged victim’s right eyebrow and the eye was “slightly swollen and developing a bruise.” The alleged victim also had “red scratches” on his cheek and said Wolf had “grabbed him and slammed him against the wall,” according to the complaint.

The alleged victim said Wolf had also “lifted him off the ground and proceeded to choke him.” He described that during the choking incident he could “hardly breath” and his “throat was really sore,” the complaint states.

CPS obtained photographs of the injuries to the alleged victim’s face and throat and he was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital, according to the complaint.

If convicted on the child abuse resulting in injury charge, Wolf could be sentenced to not less than one nor more than five years in the state penitentiary and fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000. Or, at the discretion of the court, confined in jail for not more than one year.

If convicted on the strangulation charge, Wolf could be sentenced to not less than one nor more than five years in the state penitentiary, fined not more than $2,500, or both.

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