Upshur County, West Virginia — Authorities in West Virginia arrested a couple after deputies responding to a domestic violence call discovered a nonverbal 4-year-old child with autism locked inside a bedroom, according to police.
Investigators say the situation came to light after the couple’s 18-year-old daughter called 911 to report a dispute between her parents at their home.
Deputies with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence and began investigating the domestic disturbance, but what they found inside the house led to additional charges.
Teen called 911 to report domestic dispute
According to investigators, the call for help came from the couple’s teenage daughter, who reported an argument between her parents.
When deputies arrived at the home, they questioned 40-year-old Joshua Vincent Moore and 36-year-old Kayla Spruill about the alleged altercation.
Spruill told deputies that Moore accidentally struck her in the face with a phone, leaving a small cut on her lip.
The couple’s daughter reportedly told deputies that arguments between the two were common in the home.
She also claimed that Moore was often mentally and emotionally abusive toward Spruill, according to investigators.
Deputies discover young child locked in bedroom
While officers were investigating the dispute, one deputy asked whether there were other children inside the home.
The teenage daughter then led deputies to a bedroom that had two locked gates instead of a normal door.
Inside the room, deputies discovered a 4-year-old child described as having nonverbal autism.
Authorities said the child had allegedly been locked in the room “for safety reasons,” according to statements made to police.
Investigators say the child was alone in the room when officers arrived.
Police describe concerning conditions inside the room
According to the criminal complaint, deputies observed troubling conditions when they located the child.
Officials said the child was naked and had blue stains on their feet and around their mouth.
Deputies also reported that the child appeared to be attempting to finger paint with feces when they were discovered.
The scene raised immediate concerns for investigators about the child’s welfare.
Teen told police she was asked to skip school
The couple’s daughter reportedly told deputies that she had been asked to skip school to care for the 4-year-old.
She told officers that her father had gone to work while her mother was away from home.
According to the complaint, the teenager also claimed that Moore often locked the child in the bedroom while he smoked marijuana and played video games.
Parents reportedly admitted locking child in room
Investigators later questioned Spruill about the situation.
Police say she admitted that both parents had locked the child in the bedroom for safety reasons, claiming the child sometimes tried to leave the home.
Authorities said Spruill told deputies the child could “elope,” which led them to restrict the child inside the room.
During the interview, deputies reported smelling alcohol on Spruill’s breath.
A breath test administered by officers showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1, according to investigators.
Father admitted using marijuana earlier in the day
Deputies also interviewed Moore about the situation.
According to police, Moore told investigators that he smoked marijuana early that morning before going to work.
He also claimed that Spruill had used marijuana before leaving for work that day and had asked their teenage daughter to watch the younger child.
Authorities said Moore returned home later in the day after his work shift.
Both parents arrested and charged
Following the investigation, deputies arrested both Moore and Spruill.
The couple was charged with child neglect creating a risk of injury, according to authorities.
They were taken to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, where each is being held on $25,000 cash bonds.
Both suspects are scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on March 13.
Officials say the investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the case.
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