PINEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Wyoming County woman faces child neglect charges after one child was found outside in underwear, another child was left behind a gate. At the same time, the mother was next door for over two hours cooking Velveeta meals with her neighbor.
According to Wyoming County Deputies, a witness says that a four-year-old child was found outside only in underwear and appeared confused and afraid. The child could not find her mother. The witness retrieved the child and attempted to locate the mother at the Piney Garden Apartments. When the witness knocked on the door and got no answer, and heart the other child of Savannah Privett’s crying inside, she went inside. Once inside, the child, age 2, was found locked behind a child gat in the apartment’s backroom.
The witness then went to an apartment adjacent to Privett’s to attempt to locate her. She knocked on the door and found Privett. She advised that Privett appeared to be under the influence of Marijuana and noted the apartment’s strong odor. She advised Privett that her child had come outside, alone, in her underwear, looking for her. She further stated that she held the youngest child, and Privett asked her where her baby was, not noticing she was holding it.
When deputies inspected the apartment, it was found in a poor state of cleanliness, and a strong odor of urine filled the apartment. The bathroom was filthy, and the entire apartment was in an unliveable, filthy state, including a urine-soaked mattress that the four-year-old child slept in.
During an interview with Privett, she said she left her two children alone. She went next door to deliver some Velveeta meals. Privett initially lied and stated she kept both doors open and was only there for approximately two minutes. Upon further inquiry, Privett indicated she stayed at the apartment and cooked the meal, and the time she was there could have been up to two hours. She also admitted that she smoked marijuana in the form of THC vapes. DHHR was contacted, and arrangements were made for moth the children.
Privette is charged with two counts of child neglect charges resulting in injury. She is currently in Southern Regional Jail under a 10,000 dollar cash-only bond.
