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WELLSBURG -- Cases involving child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and an altercation with a law enforcement officer were heard Monday by a Brooke County grand jury, which returned 20 indictments.
Rachel Camilletti, 34, and Zachary Henderson, 35, both of 202 Centre Ave., Follansbee, each were indicted for child neglect resulting in the death of their child because their toddler was able to access a controlled substance in their home, and two counts of gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury because their two other children also had access to the drug.
Brooke County Sheriff Richard Beatty said the cause of the child's death was determined to be fentanyl intoxication and the arrests were the result of an investigation by his office and the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.
Indicted on charges involving child abuse are Brittany Fluharty, 30, and Jacob Fluharty, 35, both of 103 Lincoln Place, Follansbee.
The indictment against Brittany Fluharty alleges on separate occasions she struck a child in her care in the face and arms, leaving bruises and a black eye.
The indictment against Jacob Fluharty alleges he struck the child in the mouth, causing it to bleed, and failed to protect him from Brittany's abusive acts.
Jacob Krupa, 27, of 375 Toat Ave., Windsor Heights, was indicted for domestic battery, cruelty to animals and on three counts of malicious assault for allegedly striking a woman known to him in the head, face, back, legs, hand and wrist with a baseball bat and striking a dog with the bat on Feb. 2.
Robert J. Biggerstaff, 27, Follansbee, was indicted for domestic battery and strangulation for allegedly strangling a woman known to him on Oct. 29.
Levi Thomas, 38, of 813 Terika Drive, Follansbee, was indicted for burglary, attempted malicious assault on a governmental representative, assault on an officer, obstructing and violation of a bond condition.
According to the indictment, Thomas attempted to stab a Brooke County sheriff's deputy with a knife on Dec. 4 when he and another officer were attempting to arrest Thomas.
It states Thomas, on the day before, had entered a Follansbee home with the intent to commit a larceny.
Matthew Lee Edwards, 35, of 27 Gullette Lane, Weirton, was indicted for third-offense driving under the influence, driving in an impaired state and causing serious bodily injury to another, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury.
Edwards allegedly was driving under the influence of alcohol on Nov. 29 when he veered into another vehicle, causing serious injury to a person in it, then left the scene.
Shaine Black, 24, of 28 Etta Lane, Colliers, was indicted for sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust to a child, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual abuse for alleged sexual contact with a child in October 2017.
Also indicted were:
— Tyler Prunty, 22, 120 Hideaway Lane, Wellsburg, for fleeing from an officer while driving under the influence and with reckless indifference to others' safety.
— Mercedes L. Longanecker, 28, McDonald, Pa., for third-offense shoplifting.
— Jessica Pinkerton, 31, Lot 29, 29 township Road 281, Steubenville, for third-offense shoplifting and grand larceny for allegedly taking items valued at more than $1,000 from a local business, and entering with the intention of committing a larceny.
— Amanda R. Martin, 32, Apartment 2, 141 Pikeview Road, Weirton, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.
— Michael S. Hawthorne, 40, Cadiz, for grand larceny and possession of a stolen vehicle.
— Sean Miller, 33, 3306 Orchard St., Weirton, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and delivering it.
— Shane Gillespie, 38, 224 May Road, Follansbee, on two counts of driving while his license was revoked for third-offense DUI.
— Joseph C. Goff, 41, 100 Jordan St., Weirton, for third-offense shoplifting, grand larceny for allegedly taking thousands of dollars in tools from a Weirton apartment, unlawful entering and conspiring to commit the crime.
— Darien S. Orion Banyas, 28, 2514 Commercial Ave., Mingo Junction, on two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
— Ryan E. Geary, 32, 157 Talbott Drive, Steubenville, on two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
— Millard T. Fordham, 48, 507 Railroad Ave., Steubenville, for third-offense driving under the influence and driving while his license was revoked for DUI.