FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Fayette County man is facing multiple charges after deputies responded to a disturbance involving an intoxicated individual and a child on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched to Mountainair Mobile Home Park in Hilltop for reports of an intoxicated and disorderly male.
While en route, Fayette County 911 advised that a West Virginia Child Protective Services worker had witnessed the man strike a small child in the face.
The CPS worker also reported that the suspect attempted to assault her and made threats when she intervened. Authorities said another individual at the scene restrained the man until deputies arrived.
Deputies took the suspect into custody without incident and identified him as Phillip A. Leonard, the child’s father. Officials noted Leonard appeared to be severely intoxicated at the time.
Leonard has been charged with one felony count of child abuse creating risk of injury, along with misdemeanor charges of domestic battery, two counts of assault on a government official, and public intoxication.
Due to his condition, Leonard was transported to Southern Regional Jail, where he is being held pending arraignment before a Fayette County magistrate.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department notes that all charges are allegations, and Leonard is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
