RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man is facing charges for an alleged kidnapping.
According to WV State Police, a call came in about fear for a woman’s life and being held against her will by her husband. The caller advised that the victim had posted on Facebook that her husband was holding her against her will. The post wasn’t up long and was removed. When police arrived at the home in Shady Spring, they observed a female sitting on the couch inside; she whispered, “help me, I can’t talk, or he will kill me.”
Troopers secured the victim and started looking for the suspect, Averal Canfield. When Canfield was restrained, the victim was in tears and terrified to speak because her husband threatened that he would burn down the house with her in it if she ever called for help. The victim said the incident started on a Friday when her husband held her against her will and refused to leave. Canfield told the victim that he had taken vital parts from all the vehicles and that they would blow up if she tried to start them. Canfield allegedly let the victim make phone calls on speaker but threatened to smash her head in with a steel medicine box.
The victim went on to say that she was trying to starve herself so that she would be allowed to make a doctor’s appointment and get the doctor to help her get away from him before he killed her.
Canfield was charged with kidnapping, domestic assault, and interference with emergency communications.
Canfield does have a violent criminal history with domestic convictions, brandishing charges, and a history of substance abuse. He is currently out on bond.
