RIVESVILLE, W.Va. – The Marion County Sheriff’s Department arrested two people in Rivesville in connection a severe malnutrition case involving their child.
An investigation revealed the child was malnourished to the point where he didn’t “react to hunger,” investigators said.
Cheyenne Hicks, 31, and Zachary Thornburg, 31, both of Rivesville, are charged with child neglect creating risk of injury after deputies were notified of a CPS referral on January 14. The referal was for a 15-month-old juvenile that was filed after they both failed to take the child to the hospital at the urging of a doctor.
Hicks and Thornburg brought the 15-month-old child to a medical check-up earlier that day, according to investigators. At the appointment, doctors told them they needed to bring the child to the emergency room. The case was filed with CPS later that day.
Investigators located a residence in disarray where the family lived. They found food containers, trash and dirt throughout the home, according to the criminal complaint.
Further investigation revealed a child’s room with a crib soaked in urine, wet clothes and a soiled diaper. The child is believed to be severely underweight for his age. He was also suffering from a rash.
EMS transported the infant to Ruby Memorial Hospital. He weighed only 14 pounds and didn’t react to food or a bottle.
Hicks and Thornburg are currently in the North Central Regional Jail. Bond is set for both at $30,000.