CLAY COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A second person has been arrested in connection to a child abuse case that left a three-month-old infant with severe injuries.
Jerri Ferrebee, the former wife and current girlfriend of Timothy L. Ferrebee, was taken into custody and charged with gross child neglect resulting in serious bodily injury and failure to report suspected abuse.
This follows the arrest of Timothy Ferrebee, who was previously charged with child abuse by strangulation and child abuse causing serious bodily injury.
According to the criminal complaint, Jerri Ferrebee had left the infant in the primary care of Timothy Ferrebee on March 21, 2025, for approximately 40 minutes while she went to procure a soda.
During this time, investigators believe the infant was physically abused.
When Jerri Ferrebee returned, she changed the infant’s diaper and noticed what she described as “busted capillaries” and red marks on the child’s stomach.
She questioned Timothy Ferrebee about the injuries but reportedly received no real explanation.
Despite her concerns, Jerri Ferrebee remained the infant’s caregiver for approximately eight more hours before transporting the child back to the biological mother the next afternoon, stating the baby was “fussy and sick.”
Upon taking custody of the child, the mother immediately transported the infant to Summersville Emergency Room, where medical professionals confirmed signs of physical abuse.
Due to the severity of the injuries, the child was later transferred to Ruby Memorial Hospital.
Doctors determined the infant had suffered damage to both lungs, air trapped in the thoracic cavity, petechiae, a laceration to the esophagus requiring surgery, and was placed in a medically induced coma.
Investigators say Jerri Ferrebee, who is employed as a special needs educator aid for the Clay County school system, is a mandatory reporter of child abuse.
However, she failed to report the infant’s visible injuries or signs of distress.
Authorities allege her failure to act resulted in the child experiencing prolonged oxygen impairment and worsening medical complications.
Jerri Ferrebee was processed at the West Virginia State Police (WVSP) Clay Detachment and transported to Central Regional Jail, where she awaits arraignment.
