RONCEVERTE W.Va (WVDN) – A Greenbrier County woman was arrested and charged with felony child abuse after her teenage daughter fled the state and later told investigators she feared for her safety due to repeated physical abuse at home.
Tasha Lynn Wade was taken into custody on Saturday, July 19, following an investigation by the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a report of an alleged runaway juvenile from an apartment on Davis Stuart Road. Wade reported that her 17-year-old daughter had not returned home after dropping off her younger sibling at a babysitter’s residence earlier in the month. She told authorities that the teen was picked up by an unknown male at Island Park in Ronceverte.
Investigators attempted to locate the man, who was identified through interviews, but he was initially not at his listed residence or former place of employment. Deputies later contacted him through his workplace, and he arrived voluntarily to speak with law enforcement.
The man told deputies he had picked up the teen at her request because she disclosed that she was being physically abused at home. He said he drove her to Greenville, South Carolina, where she planned to stay with a trusted family friend.
Deputies then reportedly contacted the teen by phone. She allegedly confirmed that she had left home voluntarily because of repeated abuse by Wade. The teen told investigators that she had been struck multiple times and described a specific incident on June 22 in which she was hit and sustained visible bruising on her hip and lower back.
According to her statement, she tried to call 911 during that incident, but Wade refused to allow law enforcement inside when they arrived. The teen said her phone was taken away from her following the attempted emergency call.
Greenbrier County 911 confirmed that a call was placed from the teen on that date, reporting that her mother had hit her. The teen also told authorities she had previously filed a report with Child Protective Services through a teacher at her sibling’s school.
Following consultation with the Greenbrier County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and considering the teen’s allegations and corroborating evidence, officials determined it was in the best interest of the juvenile to remain in South Carolina while the investigation continues.
Wade has been charged with one felony count of child abuse and is currently awaiting further court proceedings.
