MT. HOPE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Fayette County man has been arrested after authorities say an infant was found with multiple injuries, including a skull fracture and brain bleed.
According to a criminal complaint, law enforcement was asked to assist Mt. Hope Police with a possible child abuse investigation on August 25, 2026.
Officers met with investigators at Plateau Medical Center, where they observed the infant had numerous scratches and bruises on her torso, a broken area of skin under her armpit and a bump on her head.
The child’s mother told authorities the infant had no visible injuries when she left for work earlier that morning.
Later in the day, a neighbor was asked to check on the child after the infant’s father, Charles Taylor, allegedly stopped answering the phone. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department also responded for a welfare check.
According to the complaint, the infant was later taken to Plateau Medical Center for evaluation.
Hospital staff eventually told investigators the child had suffered a skull fracture and a brain bleed.
Authorities then located Taylor in Oak Hill and arrested him on a charge of child neglect causing injury.
During an interview with law enforcement, Taylor allegedly admitted that he had dropped the infant on her head earlier that morning. He also reportedly told investigators that marks on the child’s body may have come from him holding her or bouncing her on his leg or knee.
Taylor was transported to Southern Regional Jail to await arraignment.
The allegations contained in the complaint have not been proven in court, and Taylor is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
