West Virginia Woman Charged With Child Abuse

Laura Southworth, a 54-year-old woman from Charleston, West Virginia, has been arrested and charged with child abuse and unlawful restraint after her daughter escaped their home while handcuffed and sought help from a neighbor. The incident was reported on September 23, 2024, when the girl, who had allegedly been restrained for around 13 hours, was found wearing handcuffs. Southworth admitted to handcuffing her daughter as a punishment for making a mess and attempting to leave the house without permission. Police described the home as 'extremely messy' and discovered evidence of abuse and neglect. Southworth is being held on a $10,000 bond, and authorities are working to investigate the situation further, as she has three other children living with her, aged between 3 and 16. Child Protective Services is involved, and the investigation is ongoing.