WINFIELD, W.Va. — A Putnam County couple pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced for abusing a 10-year-old boy.
Putnam County Prosecutor Kris Raynes said Jonathan Riley and Abigail Riley, of Fraziers Bottom, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit child abuse resulting in bodily injury along with three counts each of child abuse and child neglect causing serious bodily injury.
They were sentenced Judge Derek Swope to the maximum nine to 45 years in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release.
Previous reports indicated authorities were contacted by the child’s school bus driver after the driver noticed bruising and injuries. The abuse occurred between December 2024 and May 2024. There was video evidence that was part of the case.
“Children are the most vulnerable and deserve the most protection. When parents, guardians or custodians all fail these children, then it is up to the judicial system to provide the maximum justice available. In Putnam County, our prosecutors and law enforcement officers work diligently to hold these abusers accountable,” Putnam County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Scragg Karr said in a news release.
In a related case, Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers denied a request from Jonathan Riley Friday to reduce a 1-10 year prison term Stowers sentenced Riley to earlier this year after he was convicted of intimidating a witness in connection with the child abuse case.
Raynes and Karr credited several in helping with the investigation.
“The Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office commends investigating officer, Corporal Seth Lewis and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department for working these cases that involved repeated abuse over a period of many months and also commends the Putnam County School teachers and officials who consistently took notice and reported the suspected abuse.”