West Virginia Mother Arrested After Child Falls from Window and Tests Positive for Cocaine

Incident Details in Fairmont

A West Virginia mother is currently in police custody following a harrowing incident at the Unity Terrace Apartments in Fairmont. According to reports, a 6-year-old boy with autism fell from a second-story window of his family's residence. Law enforcement officials were alerted to the situation on Monday, August 10.

The mother, 30-year-old Stevie Thibodeaux, stated to authorities that she was asleep at the time of the accident. While investigators noted that the apartment's doors were equipped with childproof locks to prevent the boy from wandering, the window from which the child fell was reportedly missing a screen.

Medical Findings and Charges

Following the fall, the child was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital for a medical assessment. Subsequent testing revealed that the boy had cocaine in his system. This information was brought to the attention of local police by Child Protective Services.

When authorities arrived at the apartment to conduct a search, Thibodeaux was initially absent but arrived while the investigation was underway. During questioning, she reportedly admitted to consuming cocaine inside the apartment, though she claimed she kept the substance stored in a closet, away from her son.

Thibodeaux has been formally charged with child neglect creating a risk of injury. She is currently held at the North Central Regional Jail. As of now, it remains uncertain whether she has secured legal representation or entered a formal plea.

Health Risks and Legal Consequences

According to the National Library of Medicine, exposure to cocaine poses life-threatening risks to children, including:

• Acute toxicity
• Damage to the brain and nervous system
• Heart failure
• Long-term developmental and behavioral complications

Under West Virginia law, a conviction for child neglect resulting in a risk of injury carries a potential prison sentence of one to five years, alongside fines reaching up to $3,000. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently ongoing.