Father charged after child was reportedly locked out of house

GREENBRIER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A father is facing child neglect charges after a child was reportedly locked out of the house for several hours.

On the evening of June 12, 2024, Deputy B.P. Walls from the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call on Maple Ave E. in Alderson, WV, regarding a juvenile who had been locked out of her home for several hours.

The juvenile feared waking her dad and was reluctant to seek help. Upon arrival, the deputy found the juvenile with other young people and spoke to a witness who mentioned that Chief Todd Williams of the Alderson Police Department was on his way and had requested CPS assistance.

It was reported that the caller had been with the juvenile for about thirty minutes to an hour and had reached out to the Greenbrier EOC for guidance. Another witness mentioned seeing the juvenile alone at the farmers market the previous day.

Following these conversations, Williams and the deputy visited the juvenile’s residence to speak with the child’s dad, who is identified as Robert Latham. Latham admitted that he had drunk a pint of whiskey, had taken Tramadol, and fell asleep.

A breathalyzer test showed his blood alcohol content to be .085. Lt. Hudnall from the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department arrived shortly after.

CPS arrived and placed the child and a sibling in the care of a family member. Latham was taken to the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office, where he was interviewed by Lt. Hundall after being read his Miranda Rights.

During the interview, Latham admitted to drinking alcohol and taking a large amount of Tramadol. He also mentioned that his child had approached him at home, but due to his impaired state, he was unsure of what she had asked.

Latham is charged with child neglect with risk of injury.