#Children's Rights
Target:
State of West Virginia
Region:
United States of America

ORIGINAL STORY 10/4/16
JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A 9-month-old baby is in critical condition after deputies she was sexually assaulted by a family friend.

Benjamin Taylor, 32, of Cottageville has been charged with first degree sexual assault.

According to the criminal complaint, deputies were called Monday to a house on Meadowlark Lane in Ripley.

When they arrived they found the baby's mother holding the infant with a "significant" amount of blood on and around the child. The mother told deputies she found the baby naked in the basement of the apartment with the lights turned off.

Deputies then spoke with Taylor, who initially said he didn't know how the injuries happened.

After being read his Miranda rights, Taylor said he took the infant to the basement of the house to do laundry earlier that evening.

When deputies questioned Taylor on how the infant received her injuries again, Taylor said he "blacked out" and didn't know how they happened.

Deputies say large amounts of blood were found on blankets and clothes in the basement where Taylor and the infant were believed to be

Taylor would change his story multiple times and deputies noticed Taylor trying to rub something off of himself.

After going to the hospital, deputies got a search warrant for Taylor's clothing and a DNA sample.

While deputies were getting the sample they noticed blood on Taylor's body they believe is from the infant.

According to the criminal complaint, Taylor did nothing to save the infant's life from the injuries she sustained during the sexual encounter.

The baby has been taken to CAMC to receive treatment.

Taylor is being held at South Central Regional Jail on a $2 million dollar bond.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.

West Virginia should have the DEATH PENALTY in this case if the accused is found guilty of all charges!

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The Justice for Emmaleigh petition to State of West Virginia was written by Debbie Weihl and is in the category Children's Rights at GoPetition.