Two parents are facing charges after their young child jumped out of a window and showed up at a nearby business claiming she hadn’t eaten in days.
According to Calhoun County Magistrate, Ryan Keith Hardman and Ellio Magthalena Hardman, both 33, of Arnoldsburg, West Virginia, are charged with child neglect with risk of serious bodily injury or death and conspiracy.
Officers reported that the 8-year old girl was found barefoot while entering a Family Dollar on Friday. The girl proceeded to tell the workers her parents didn’t want her anymore and that she hadn’t eaten in several days.
When officers asked the girl why she was by herself, she answered that she was so hungry that she jumped out of her second-story window and came to the store for food.
Officers stated the girl claims she jumped out of her window because her parents refused to let her out of her room. The girl said her parents constantly told her she wasn’t allowed to leave because she had a bad attitude and they didn’t want her anymore.
When officers arrived at the girl’s home, they were met at the door by Ryan Hartman and a strong aroma of marijuana.
The Hardmans told police there were four children in the home and weren’t aware that their 8-year old left home. They also claimed this isn’t the first time their daughter has left the house and she has done this two other times to their knowledge.
Officers reported they searched the home and discovered drug paraphernalia and marijuana. They also found evidence near the window to support the child’s claims that she jumped.
Three other children were inside of the home and were removed by Child Protective Services.
A sibling of the 8-year old girl told officers that she witnessed the incidents and said their parents punishments sometimes occurred for up to a week at a time without food.
The 8-year old is being treated for pain and injuries that she suffered from jumping out her window. The other children are currently safe at this time, while the parents are awaiting their trial.
