A disturbing child neglect case from West Virginia has shocked the local community after police discovered a 4-year-old child with autism locked alone inside a bedroom.
The incident came to light when the teenage daughter of the accused couple called emergency services to report a domestic violence dispute at home. What deputies found during the investigation raised serious concerns about the child’s safety and living conditions.
Parents Arrested After Teen Calls 911
Police in Upshur County, West Virginia, arrested 40-year-old Joshua Vincent Moore and 36-year-old Kayla Spruill on March 5. Both were charged with child neglect creating a risk of injury.
According to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were sent to the couple’s house after their 18-year-old daughter dialed 911. She reported a domestic argument between her parents.
When officers arrived, they began questioning the couple about the reported fight. Spruill told deputies that Moore accidentally hit her in the face with a phone during the argument. She had a small cut on her lower lip from the incident.
4-Year-Old Child Found Locked in Bedroom
While checking the house, deputies asked if there were other children present. The teenager then led officers to a bedroom that did not have a normal door. Instead, the entrance was secured with two locked gates.
Inside the room, officers found a 4-year-old child who the daughter said has nonverbal autism.
According to the complaint, the child was completely naked and had blue stains around the feet and mouth. Deputies also reported that the child appeared to be playing with their own feces while alone in the room.
The daughter told police that her parents locked the child inside the room “for safety reasons.”
Teen Says Arguments and Neglect Were Common
During questioning, the teenager shared more details about life at home. She said arguments between Moore and Spruill happened often. According to her statement, Moore was frequently emotionally and mentally abusive toward Spruill.
The teenager also told deputies that her parents asked her to miss school to watch the younger child.
She further claimed that Moore often locked the 4-year-old in the bedroom while he smoked marijuana and played video games.
Mother Admits Locking Child in Room
Police later spoke to Spruill about the situation. According to the criminal complaint, she admitted that she and Moore would sometimes lock the child in the bedroom. She said they did this because the child had a habit of wandering away, which she described as “eloping.”
While speaking with Spruill, deputies said they smelled alcohol on her breath. A breath test showed her blood alcohol level was 0.1.
Spruill told officers that she had gone to a friend’s house after work the previous day and stayed overnight. She said they shared a bottle of wine and watched a movie. She returned home at around 11:30 a.m. on March 5. The breath test was given at 2 p.m.
Father Admits Marijuana Use
Deputies also questioned Moore about the events. He reportedly told police that he smoked marijuana when he woke up at 3:30 a.m. before going to work. He said he returned home around 1:30 p.m.
Moore also claimed that Spruill smoked marijuana earlier that day before leaving for work, leaving their teenage daughter to care for the younger child.
Couple Now Facing Legal Action
Following the investigation, both Moore and Spruill were arrested and taken into custody.
They are currently being held at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on $25,000 cash bonds each.
Authorities said the couple is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on March 13.
This case has raised serious concerns about child safety and parental responsibility. Situations like this highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable children, especially those with special needs who require extra care and supervision. When warning signs appear, timely reporting—like the 911 call made by the teenager in this case—can help authorities step in and prevent further harm.
