SAINT ALBANS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A couple has been arrested following a domestic dispute with their 7-year-old daughter in the car about who would drive home after playing corn hole.
According to a criminal complaint, on Monday, August 26, 2024, authorities responded to a domestic disturbance in the Saint Albans area of Kanawha County.
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The incident, which occurred at a residence on 3rd Avenue North, was initially flagged after a vehicle was reported by an On-Star alert, leading law enforcement to investigate.
Upon arrival, officers identified a woman, 32-year-old Megan Pickens at the scene who reported that her boyfriend and father of their seven-year-old child, 31-year-old Benjamin Croushorn, had left the residence with the child.
The man, described as wearing a black shirt, was soon observed returning to the area.
The officers noted that Pickens appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and later confirmed that the couple had just returned from a corn hole event in Chesapeake where they had been drinking.
Conflicting accounts were provided by both individuals regarding a dispute that had escalated in the car.
According to Pickens, Croushorn had struck her in the throat in an attempt to retrieve his phone, which had been thrown out of the vehicle window.
Further investigation revealed video evidence taken from a friend’s phone showing Pickens and her child discussing alcohol consumption.
In the video, the officer could hear Pickens urinating in the toilet as she videoed her daughter and asked, “I know it’s your birthday this weekend, but do you mind if me and J****** get really s****y drunk?”
Her daughter responded, “If I can have some tequ-ee-wa (tequila).”
Additional footage showed Pickens and Croushorn engaging in verbal arguments, with both parties using derogatory language and raising their voices while driving.
The argument allegedly began after deciding who would drive home.
During conversations with the child, the child described witnessing heated exchanges between her parents, including an incident where Pickens threw Croushorn’s phone out the window, followed by him hitting the mother.
The child also stated that Pickens had flipped Croushorn off and that the parents had continued arguing while driving.
Officers observed physical signs of a possible altercation on the Pickens’ neck, where makeup appeared clumped, possibly indicating a recent scuffle.
Pickens claimed Croushorn had been aggressive, but he denied involvement, stating that she had thrown his phone out of the car.
Croushorn was arrested and charged with Domestic Battery and Child Neglect.
Pickens was arrested and charged with Child Neglect.
Both are currently out on bond.
