Woman charged after child found with handcuffs on wrist

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A woman was arrested Monday after a child was found handcuffed to her wrist, according to Charleston police.

The arrest took place on Monday, September 23, 2024, at around 8:55 a.m.

The minor girl was found in the 700 block of Bridge Road while police were conducting a wellness check.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County District Court, the juvenile managed to remove the handcuff from her right wrist, leave her home and go to a neighbor's house to get help.

Laura Southworth, 54, of Charleston was arrested and charged with child abuse and false imprisonment.

In the criminal complaint, Southworth told police she handcuffed her child on Sunday night because he was smearing feces on walls, stealing and hiding food, and trying to leave the house without permission.

Investigators said the child was handcuffed for about 13 hours. The handcuffs were so tight that police were able to remove them.

In the criminal complaint, the officers noted that the apartment was in great disarray.

Charleston Police, Child Protective Services and the Kanawha County District Attorney's Office are working on the case.

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