CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASE Troopers Make Arrests On West Side
Reported by: Christine Habrle
Videographer: Jerry Criner
Web Producer: Jessica Reed Story Update: May 17, 2008 11:51pm
EYEWITNESS NEWS ONLINE VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
West Virginia State Troopers make two arrests in a shocking Capital City child abuse and neglect case. With Nearly 700 felony counts of third degree child abuse and assault and then neglect, police say the man with the most charges confessed to the crime. He confessed to a relationship and repeatedly having sexual contact with the 14-year-old victim in a Frame street house since January 2007.
West Virginia State Troopers charged 26-year-old Samuel Tolbert with 232 counts of third degree sexual abuse and 232 counts of third degree sexual assault. Trooper Ward says the sexual activity had been going on several times a week since January 2007 when Tolbert moved into the house with his teenage girlfriend. It happened right under the nose of the girl's mother 38-year-old Lora Hendricks. Some concerned grandparents tipped off troopers. She is charged with 232 counts of child neglect for allegedly knowing that her daughter shared a bed with Tolbert.
The victims is now in child protective custody. Tolbert and Hendricks are in the South Central Regional Jail, each on a $100, 000 security bond.
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