A woman in West Virginia has been arrested on abuse charges after she allegedly hurt a young boy several ways, including beating him with a wooden paddle that she referred to as “the attitude adjuster.”
Courtney Crites was arrested on Friday, January 9, after an investigation was conducted by a local child advocacy center regarding alleged abuse that was reported to police, according to a criminal complaint viewed by Luxury Handbag Shopping.
The complaint stated that five children who lived with Crites, 32, and her unnamed boyfriend spoke with authorities about their experiences in the home, revealing upsetting and disturbing details about the alleged abuse.
“During the interviews [police] observed the male juvenile to state that Ms. Crites had kicked him, hit him, and screamed at him,” the complaint alleged. “[The boy] advised that Ms. Crites kicked him in the privates once, approximately two months ago.”
The child also claimed that Crites would use “the paddle” on him when he did not put “his clothes away the right way,” according to the complaint. Additionally, the boy alleged that Crites once “pushed him outside in the freezing cold, eventually letting him back in before striking him with the paddle, breaking it.”
The boy told police that he sustained injuries including “bruises on his shoulder, chest and back,” adding that the bruises lasted “a couple months.” The complaint continued, “[The boy] continued to advise that when Ms. Crites would get mad she would walk past him and kick him.”
The child went on to tell investigators that he became “scared to death” of Crites after she “broke the paddle by hitting him with it,” according to the complaint. He also explained that the wooden paddle she used to hit him was approximately two inches by four inches and was about two feet in length.
It’s not currently known what Crites’ relationship with the young victim or the other children that live with her is. Meanwhile, police said that she currently lives with the victim and other minor children at a home in Barbour County, West Virginia.
Following the investigation, Crites was arrested on three counts of felony child abuse.
Crites is currently in custody at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, according to online court records viewed by Luxury Handbag Shopping. Her bond has been set at $100,000 and she was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, January 12, for a disposition hearing.
It is not currently clear if Crites has entered a plea or retained legal representation following her arrest.
Those who are found guilty of felony child abuse in West Virginia can face a variety of sentences depending on the severity of the crime. Adults who cause bodily injury can be sentenced to between two to ten years in prison, according to the West Virginia Legislature website. Meanwhile, those who cause serious bodily injury can face between five to 15 years in prison, with the potential for doubled sentences for repeat offenses. Those found guilty may also be ordered to pay fines up to $3,000 for serious injury or $1,000 for bodily injury.
