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BUCKHANNON -- Two Buckhannon residents were indicted Monday after the death of two children last year from injuries related to "shaken baby syndrome," officials said.
Thomas W. Cunningham, 27, was indicted Monday on two felony counts of death of a child by a guardian, custodian or other person by child abuse.
He was being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a cash-only $100,000 bond.
Ciera N. Gillespie, 25, was indicted Monday on two felony counts of child neglect resulting in death.
She was being held in the Central Regional Jail on a cash-only $200,000 bond.
According to the criminal complaint, filed by Upshur County Sheriff's Deputy Rodney Rolenson on behalf of the Mountain Lakes Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the incident occurred Nov. 28.
According to the complaint, Rolenson was contacted by Chief Deputy Michael Coffman about an infant's drug overdose at a Valley Green Drive residence. Deputies Chidester and Bender were on scene with Gillespie. The mother gave an audio recorded statement to officers saying that she had gone to the store at 6 p.m. and left the children, a 1-year-old, a 2-year-old and a 6-year-old, in the care of her boyfriend, Cunningham.
According to the complaint, the 2-year-old child was pronounced dead at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. According to the complaint, Rolenson spoke to WVU medical staffer Dr. Melvin Wright, who said the manner of death for the child was consistent with "shaken baby syndrome" and the "retinal injuries were the worst he had seen in 20 years." The doctor also said the injuries to the 1-year-old child were significant and also a result of "shaken baby syndrome."
According to the complaint, Gillespie provided officers a second statement on Dec. 1 and said she believed Cunningham was under the influence of a controlled substance when she left the children in his care. Cunningham also provided a statement to officers on Dec. 1. and stated he had "used a Percocet to get high while he was left in the care and custody of the two infant children."
Officials said more charges would likely be filed after the death of the second child in early December.
A total of 25 individuals were indicted by an Upshur County grand jury Monday. Those indicted include:
Eric Wade McClure, 31, of Buckhannon, on one felony count of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance.
Brandon Michael Beeson, 36, of Buckhannon, on one felony count of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver; and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a felony violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the West Virginia code.
Roy Lee Lahman, 30, of Rock Cave, on one felony count of intimidation of a public employee; and two felony counts of retaliation against a public employee.
Trey Amadeus Johnson, 24, of Buckhannon, on one felony count of fleeing in a vehicle with reckless indifference to the safety of others; and one felony count of fleeing in a vehicle while under the influence of controlled substances.
Johnson was also indicted on three felony counts of fraudulent use of an access device.
Christina Michele Haggerty, 30, of Weston, on one felony count of burglary; and one felony count of conspiracy.
Gary Allen Ramsey, 36, of Clarksburg, on one felony count of grand larceny; and one felony count of conspiracy.
Joshua Ryan Wilson, 33, of Clarksburg, one felony count of grand larceny; and one felony count of conspiracy.
Kenneth Henry Knight, Jr., 38, of Buckhannon, one two felony counts of failure to provide notice of changes to child abuse and neglect registration information, second or subsequent offense; one misdemeanor count of violation of a protective order; one misdemeanor count of feeling by means other than the use of a vehicle; and one misdemeanor count of petit larceny.
Gregg Scott Haymond, 50, of Buckhannon, on three felony counts of failure to provide notice of sex offender registration changes, life registrant, second offense.
Haymond was also indicted on one felony count of driving while license revoked for DUI, third or subsequent offense; one felony count of false evidence of registration; one misdemeanor count of no insurance; and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance.
Wesley R. McCartney, 35, of Crawford, on one felony count of failure to provide notice of a change in sex offender registration information, life registrant.
James Daniel Givens, 26, of Martinsburg, on one felony count of grand larceny; and two misdemeanor counts of fraudulent schemes.
Amanda Dawn Golden, 44, of Buckhannon, on three felony counts of failure to provide notice of sex offender registration changes, life registrant.
James David Heater, 41, of Buckhannon, on one misdemeanor count of receiving or transferring stolen vehicle; one misdemeanor count of no registration; and one misdemeanor count of no insurance.
Heater was also indicted on one felony count of failure to appear; and one misdemeanor count of failure to appear.
Corey Shayne Bender, 30, of Buckhannon, on one felony count of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance within 1,000 feet of a school.
Danny Allen Tenney Jr., 30, of French Creek, on one felony count of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance; one felony count of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance within 1,000 feet of a school; and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a felony violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the W.Va. Code.
Emily Sierra Nolan, 28, of Buckhannon, on one felony count of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance within 1,000 feet of a school; and on one felony count of conspiracy to commit a felony violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the W.Va. Code.
Thad Richard Marsh, 31, of Buckhannon, on two felony counts of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance within 1,000 feet of a school.
David Mark Payne, 65, of Buckhannon, one two felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
Bryan David Shaw, 41, of Buckhannon, two felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
Kevin James Cline, 44, of Buckhannon, on one felony count of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance within 1,000 feet of a school; and one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance.
Allen Blake Wolford, 32, of Buckhannon, on two felony counts of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance.
Special Prosecutor Michael Parker, the Randolph County prosecuting attorney, presented two cases:
Kenneth Lee Bevans, 27, of Buckhannon, was indicted on one felony count of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver; one felony count of conspiracy to commit a felony violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the W.Va. Code; and two felony counts of prohibited person in possession of a firearm;
And also Matthew James Hoskinson, 24, of Buckhannon, on one felony count of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver; and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a felony violation of Chapter 60A, Article 4, Section 401 of the W.Va. Code.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.