BARBOUR COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Authorities are investigating allegations of child abuse involving multiple minor children in Barbour County after a referral was made earlier this month.
According to investigators, a report of possible child abuse was received on January 1, 2026. A referral was immediately filed with Child Protective Services, and follow-up actions were taken to further assess the claims. On January 5, investigators coordinated with the Child Advocacy Center in Harrison County to schedule forensic interviews for five minor children. Those interviews took place on January 8 and January 9.
After reviewing video recordings from the interviews, investigators focused on statements made by one juvenile child, identified as the primary complainant. During the interview, the child alleged repeated physical abuse by his mother, Courtney Crites.
The child reported being kicked, hit, and screamed at, including an incident approximately two months earlier in which he said he was kicked in the groin. He also described being disciplined with what he called a paddle, referred to as an “attitude adjuster,” for not putting his clothes away correctly.
According to the child, one incident involved being pushed outside into freezing temperatures before being allowed back inside, where he was then struck with the paddle until it broke. He described suffering bruises to his shoulder, chest, and back that he said lasted for several months. The child further stated that when his mother became angry, she would sometimes walk past him and kick him.
Investigators noted the child expressed fear about the possibility of returning to live with his mother, saying he was “scared to death” at the thought. He described the paddle as resembling a wooden board approximately two inches by four inches and about two feet long.
Authorities said the alleged incidents occurred at a residence in Barbour County where Ms. Crites lives with her minor children and her boyfriend, Cameron Lloyd.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details were released at this time.
