BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Beckley woman is facing felony charges after a Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office investigation into allegations that she allowed another person to sexually abuse a child in her care and received money and other items in return.
Sarah Dawn Haines, of Clyde Street in Beckley, was charged in Raleigh County Magistrate Court with human trafficking of a minor, sexual abuse by a parent or guardian, child neglect resulting in injury, and conspiracy to commit a felony, according to a criminal complaint filed Aug. 21.
Magistrate records show probable cause was found and a warrant was issued.
Det. R.D. McDaniel Jr. of the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office stated in the complaint that he was assigned Aug. 6 to investigate a human trafficking complaint first reported to authorities on Aug. 20, 2025.
The alleged victim, described as an elementary-aged child then in Haines’ care, was interviewed by law enforcement and child advocacy staff.
According to the complaint, Haines and the child stayed at the home of a man identified only as “Frankie” in Raleigh County.
The child told investigators that Haines gave the child medication that caused drowsiness, then sent the child upstairs to the man’s bedroom. The child reported waking on several occasions to find the man sexually abusing the child, causing injury and pain.
The complaint alleges Haines knowingly aided the abuse by impairing the child with medication and authorizing the other person to sexually exploit the child while the child was in her care.
The child later told Haines what had happened; Haines denied it, the complaint states.
The child also reported seeing Haines receive money and clothing from the man “just to keep me there.” Investigators allege Haines conspired with the other person to commit offenses against the child.
The complaint further states that on Aug. 20, 2026, Haines contacted the child and said she would kill herself before going to jail.
Under West Virginia law, trafficking a minor is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison. Sexual abuse by a parent or guardian carries a possible sentence of 10 to 30 years. Child neglect resulting in injury is punishable by 2 to 10 years.
Conspiracy to commit a felony is also a felony.
Haines is listed as a parent or guardian of the alleged victim.
The case remains in magistrate court. Charges are accusations; Haines has not been convicted.
