WOOD COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Deputies with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office were searching for a man accused of abducting a woman during the early morning hours of Saturday, July 27, 2025.
At approximately 2:54 a.m., Deputies M.E. Stewart and T.B. Basnett were dispatched to a residence on Valley Mills Drive after reports that James Ryan Andrews — who had previously been trespassed from the property — had returned.
Upon arrival, deputies could not locate Andrews at the scene. They spoke with a resident, who reported that a white two-door convertible had pulled into the driveway. The driver was identified as Sarah Morris, and the passenger as Andrews.
According to the witness, Andrews began banging on the basement door, attempting to get the woman — described as his fiancée — to leave with him. The situation escalated when Andrews allegedly picked the woman up and tried to force her into the car.
A struggle reportedly ensued as the witness attempted to intervene, resulting in Andrews shoving her before fleeing the scene in the vehicle with Morris driving.
Authorities identified the vehicle as a 2009 Chrysler Sebring Convertible registered to Sarah L. Morris of Belpre, Ohio. Belpre Police were contacted to check her residence, and a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was issued to surrounding agencies.
Deputies attempted to track the victim’s cell phone and conducted a countywide search, but were unsuccessful at the time. The woman has since been entered into NCIC as a missing person. She was later found.
A warrant was requested for James Ryan Andrews for violating West Virginia State Code 61-2-14: Abduction/Kidnapping. He is now in jail.
