MORGANTOWN — Ricky Lee Lake Jr., 30, and Nickolle Marie Lake, 31, both of Morgantown, are each charged with gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury and child abuse resulting in bodily injury.
The Morgantown Police Department became involved in a child abuse case being investigated by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Child Protective Services on Jan. 22, according to a criminal complaint.
The three sisters, ages 5, 9 and 11, told CPS they were being abused by their mother and step-father, the Lakes, the complaint said.
During an interview on Jan. 22 at the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center, the oldest girl had two visible black eyes, the complaint said. She told the interviewer and CPS that Ricky hit her because he was mad her cat was in the kitchen.
The 9-year-old had a visible bruise on her abdomen and said Nickolle hit her with a wooden spoon while Ricky held her down and that she had been hit in the past, the complaint said. She also said “mommy hit [a sibling] with a wooden spoon on the side and it left a big mark on her side.”
The 5-year-old had visible bruises on her neck and burns on her back on Jan. 22, the complaint said. The 11-year-old told CPS the burns were from Ricky, the step-father.
The abuse occurred at their home on Price Street, the complaint said.
The Lakes were arraigned in Monongalia County Magistrate Court on Thursday. Magistrate Tim Pocius set bond at $100,000. The Lakes are being held in North Central Regional Jail.
