LEWISBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Greenbrier County woman faces felony charges after a toddler passed away as a result of abuse sustained while under her care.
According to reports from the Greenbrier County law enforcement, first responders were called to the scene of a purported accident on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. The child involved was said by the caller to have fallen and hit his head.
Upon departure from the scene, Lewisburg Fire Department members advised that the incident in question did not appear to be the result of a simple fall.
Law enforcement responded to the apartment where the incident had occurred and made contact with Robert Francis Reinhold III – 22 years old of Lewisburg, WV – who stated the child had fallen and hit his head on the residence’s carpet covered floor. Reinhold further stated that he contacted the child’s mother, who had been at work at the time of the fall and was instructed to contact 911.
After extensive interviews and examination of the scene, authorities learned from Reinhold that during the fall, the child’s “head may have hit the dresser drawer.”
Corporal Williams, along with Sgt. Eggleston of the Lewisburg Police Department, obtained a copy of the original 911 call and examined the audio at the Greenbrier County 911 Center. The call reportedly contains audio of what appeared to be Reinhold slapping the child while stating that he would not open his eyes and that his body was limp.
Based on the information available and law enforcement’s understanding of the events which occurred, Robert Francis Reinhold III was arrested and charged with Child Abuse Resulting in Injury and Malicious or Unlawful Assault.
Officers made contact with the mother of the child, Kimberly A. Sears, who during an interview corroborated the details of a recent CPS which indicated the child had been living in abusive conditions at the hands of Reinhold. Official documents indicate that Sears had been aware of the injuries being sustained since June of 2023.
On December 11, 2023, Dr. Keith Kocis of the Carilion Clinic informed Lewisburg Police that the child had passed away as a result of injuries sustained while under the care of Robert Francis Reinhold III and Kimberly A. Sears.
Kimberly Sears has been arrested and charged with Death of a Child by a Parent, Guardian or Custodian or Other Person by Child Abuse.
Initially having been charged with Child Abuse Resulting in Injury and Malicious or Unlawful Assault, Reinhold saw this charge dismissed at a December 13, 2023, hearing in Greenbrier County Magistrate Courte where he was re-charged with Death of a Child by a parent, Guardian or Custodian or Other Person by Child Abuse following confirmation of the victim’s passing. This charge is a felony and carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison.
