Two West Virginia infants rescued from extreme neglect by authorities
Two separate cases of severe child neglect have emerged in West Virginia. In one incident, a 15-month-old baby boy was found dangerously underweight and unresponsive to hunger. His parents now face serious charges after medical staff raised the alarm.
In Rivesville, Joshua and Brittany Settle were arrested following a nurse’s report about their 15-month-old son. The baby weighed just 14 pounds—far below a healthy weight for his age. Doctors had instructed the couple to take him to the children’s emergency room, but they ignored the advice.
When authorities intervened, the baby’s condition was dire. He showed no reaction to hunger and was covered in a rash. His room was in a filthy state, with a urine-soaked crib and a dirty diaper left unattended. The baby’s clothes were also wet when examined. In a separate case, Cheyenne Hicks, 31, and Zachary Thornburg, 31, were arrested on similar charges. They stand accused of neglect and creating a risk of injury to their baby. Details of their case have not yet been fully disclosed, but the arrests follow the same pattern of severe maltreatment.
Both sets of parents now face legal consequences for their actions. The 15-month-old baby remains in medical care, where his recovery will be closely monitored. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding each case.
