Update 1/4/18:
MULLENS, W.Va. — The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department announced Wednesday a new charge has been added against Gregory Church Jr. He now faces a felony count of child abuse in addition to the existing felony charge of child neglect.
Detectives have also confirmed in their investigation that the injuries the 10 month-old male sustained were intentional.
Original 1/2/17:
MULLENS, W.Va. — Two people face felony charges after a 10-month old baby was found unresponsive Friday.
The Mullens Fire Department responded to the Guyandotte Hills Apartments after receiving a call for an unresponsive baby. The infant was transported to a Beckley hospital, then airlifted to CAMC Children’s in Charleston.
Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jimmy White told MetroNews affiliate WJLS the male infant is on life support. They found the baby suffering from severe brain hemorrhaging, damaged retinas, broken bones and a “severely damaged” tongue and lip.
“Because of the HIPAA order, they won’t give us any information,” said White. “The last information we have is the baby is still on life support.”
Gregory Church Jr, 25, and Crystal Thomas, 24, both of Mullens were arrested in connection to the crime. They have since been charged with felony counts of child neglect. Depending on the child’s condition, White said more charges could be added.
“The investigation is still pending, and we do expect more charges.”
Church and Thomas are both being held at the Southern Regional Jail in Raleigh County on $50,000 bond each.