Woman accused of leaving 5-year-old in roadway tries to steal state police cruiser, faces multiple felony charges

According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on July 27, 2026, when Senior Trooper N.T. Warden encountered a suspicious woman acting erratically along West Virginia Route 41 near 22224 Stanford Road in the Dansese community.

Troopers identified the woman as April Parker, who allegedly began making incoherent statements and behaving in a manner that led the trooper to suspect she was under the influence of narcotics. Parker was detained while the investigation continued.

During the investigation, the trooper learned there was an active 911 call related to the incident. Authorities also discovered Parker’s 5-year-old child had been left unaccompanied in the roadway. Emergency Medical Services had already arrived and were caring for the child when troopers arrived. EMS personnel reportedly told the investigating trooper that Parker had left the juvenile alone near the roadway.

While the trooper was investigating the incident and contacting Child Protective Services, Parker allegedly attempted to escape from the patrol vehicle after slipping out of her hand restraints. According to the complaint, she climbed into the driver’s seat of the cruiser and attempted to operate the vehicle before the trooper forcibly removed her.

Police say Parker then became combative, kicking the trooper during the struggle. After being placed back into hand restraints, she allegedly slipped free a second time, prompting the trooper to deploy department-issued Sabre Red Pepper Gel to gain control of the situation.

Following the incident, Parker was transported to the West Virginia State Police Oak Hill Detachment for processing. She was medically evaluated and cleared by EMS before being taken to Southern Regional Jail, where she was held pending an appearance before the Fayette County Magistrate Court.

Parker has been charged with felony child neglect, obstructing an officer, attempt to escape, and battery on a law enforcement officer.

The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court, and Parker is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.