A West Virginia man is facing felony charges after authorities say he abandoned an 8-year-old boy in a garage for a week without food, water, or access to a bathroom while he traveled to Florida.
On Monday, Aug. 25, Juan Jose Benitez-Chacon, 34, of Anmoore, was arrested and charged with gross neglect of a child creating substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, according to online court records.
The case began on Aug. 15 when deputies with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about a child “who was left alone in a garage for approximately one week,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by 12WBOY.
Deputies said they discovered the boy inside a small garage with no food or water, according to another complaint obtained by WDTV. The child reportedly told officers he did not know when Benitez-Chacon would return, WV Metro News reported.
The boy also said neighbors sometimes helped him during the day but not at night, per WDTV. Officials noted that neighbors could not see or hear the child if an emergency occurred, according to the complaint.
Authorities described the conditions as “extremely unsafe” for the boy, WDTV reported.
Officials have not confirmed whether the child is related to Benitez-Chacon.
He is currently being held at the North Central Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on Sept. 3, according to online jail records.
It is unclear if he has secured legal representation.
