BUCKHANNON – A second individual has been charged with child neglect in connection to an incident that allegedly occurred last week in the CVS parking lot.
Douglas Dyer, 39, of Weston, was arrested Sunday, Sept. 1 for child neglect creating risk of injury, a felony.
On Thursday, Aug. 29, police allegedly found Dyer and the child’s mother, Cary Bennett, 35, of Buckhannon, passed out in a vehicle in the parking lot of CVS in Buckhannon with a small child in the backseat. According to the complaint against Dyer, filed by investigating officer Patrolman Angel McCauley, the child had no access to food or water; needed a diaper change; and was covered in marker.
The complaint states police were able to wake up Bennett, who was arrested Wednesday for child neglect, a felony, and possession of a controlled substance, heroin, a misdemeanor.
Buckhannon Police Chief Matt Gregory said Tuesday both individuals were under the influence of a controlled substance with the child in the backseat. However, Dyer was transported by Upshur EMS to St. Joseph’s Hospital for medical treatment and wasn’t released until Sept. 1.
“In fact, he was discharged late Sunday morning,” Gregory said. “He was in the hospital for almost three days.”
The police chief said Bennett is the child’s mother, and the infant has been released to family.
Gregory also said a dog inside the vehicle was taken to the pound by the county animal control officer.
“There was also a dog in the car, and it was taken to the pound,” he said.
According to a previous My Buckhannon story, McCauley and assisting officer Patrolman Tanner Collins with the BPD were dispatched to the CVS parking to complete a welfare check. When McCauley and Collins arrived on scene, they allegedly found Bennett and a male passed out in a white Ford Fusion with temporary tags.
A CVS store clerk reviewed security footage and determined the vehicle had been parked in the same spot since 10:13 a.m. Thursday – more than two hours prior to officers arriving on scene.
Dyer is being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $75,000 cash or surety bond.
The penalty for child neglect creating risk of injury is imprisonment in the state penitentiary for one to five years, a fine ranging between $1,000 and $3,000 or both.
