ALUM CREEK, W.Va. — A Kanawha County mother was charged with child neglect causing death after her 3-year-old son drowned in the Little Coal River Monday evening.
According to State Police, the boy, who was in the primary care of his father, was visiting his mother, 28-year-old Nicole Hall, of Shrewsbury, in the Alum Creek area. She allegedly lost track of him, and didn’t call 911 for several hours.
“There was a substantial amount of time, I believe it was four hours between the time the child was supposedly missing according to (Hall’s) statement, and the time that 911 was called,” said State Trooper CA Lewis.
Lewis said Hall was charged because of her negligence.
“There was a lack of supervision in watching a 3-year-old,” he explained. “Whenever the mother went inside while the child was still outside, the child was left unattended. Whenever that happened, the child wandered off.”
Watching young children is imperative, Lewis said, particularly near water.
“Keep track of your kids. I know kids are curious and they like to explore, but there has to be an extra eye on them around a body of water, especially if they’re not competent to swim.”
Hall was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon. The boy was pronounced dead at Thomas Memorial Hospital after attempts to revive him failed.