GLENVILLE, WV – Authorities have charged a West Virginia couple with child neglect after their unsupervised 3-year-old son was found shivering on the roof during a rainstorm, covered in urine and feces. The situation occurred while the parents reportedly remained inside, engaged in an all-night session of video games and marijuana use.
Mason Adkins, 29, and Sonya Adkins, 25, were arrested following the incident at their Glenville home on April 10. A police report indicated they were unaware that their child had accessed the roof and could not explain how he got there.
Responding to reports of the precarious situation, law enforcement arrived at the Adkins residence shortly before noon. Officers had to navigate through multiple locked doors, including one securing the boy’s bedroom from the outside, to reach the child.
Inside the home, a 1-year-old sibling was also found in troubling conditions. Officers noted a strong odor of feces and urine, and evidence of uncleanliness was apparent, with feces reportedly present on the walls.
Investigators discovered a broken window in the 3-year-old’s bedroom but could not confirm if this was the child’s route to the rooftop. Officers utilized the same broken window to access and retrieve the boy safely.
The parents admitted to last seeing their children at 8 p.m. the previous evening and acknowledged they had been engrossed in gaming and drug use throughout the night. They were reportedly asleep when the boy climbed onto the roof.
Charged with child neglect, creating risk of injury, and conspiracy, both parents are being held at the Central Regional Jail in Sutton. Bail has been set at $50,000, cash only.
Efforts to reach the couple’s legal representatives for comments were unsuccessful as of this writing. The children have since been placed under protective services as investigations continue.
This case raises significant concerns about child supervision and safety, drawing attention to the consequences of parental negligence, especially under the influence of substances.
