BOONE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Boone County man was arrested after allegedly assaulting a Child Protective Services (CPS) worker during the removal of four children under a court order.
Authorities responded to 1638 Hurricane Branch Road to assist CPS workers as they took custody of the children under a Boone County Circuit Court judge’s order.
Incident Details
Upon arrival, Ernest Smith met the CPS workers at their vehicle and, after reading the court order, became belligerent. Deputies warned him to remain calm and begin preparing the children for transfer.
Inside the home, an officer advised Smith to stay composed to avoid escalating the situation. However, after the children were ready, Smith allegedly ran around the CPS vehicle, where a worker was standing at the driver’s side door.
Smith aggressively confronted the worker, saying things like “Give me a reason” and “You got something to say now?”Officers intervened, grabbing Smith’s arm to prevent further escalation. Smith then kicked mud and water into the CPS worker’s face multiple times.
Arrest and Charges
Deputies immediately placed Smith under arrest for assault on a government employee. He was taken into custody, and the case remains under investigation.
