by Taylor County, West Virginia – Authorities in Taylor County, West Virginia, have arrested a couple accused of brutally abusing their 9-year-old daughter, locking her inside her bedroom and beating her with multiple objects while they allegedly “went out to smoke.”
The disturbing allegations came to light after the child arrived at school with visible injuries and disclosed what was happening inside her home.
School Staff Report Bruises and Alarming Statements
The investigation began when school personnel noticed bruises on the girl’s face and eyelid. According to investigators, the child told staff that her parents had been hitting her with a metal flyswatter, a brown belt with a turquoise buckle, and a wooden paddle with holes in it. These injuries prompted the school to contact authorities, triggering an immediate welfare check.
Charging documents reveal that the girl’s injuries were “consistent with patterned abuse.” She reportedly explained to deputies that she “cried really hard” after being struck and that her father attempted to keep her home from school the next day, but she insisted on attending.
Parents Allegedly Admitted to Hitting the Child
Following the school’s report, deputies with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office interviewed the child’s parents, Lewis Nuzum II, 52, and Josephine Nuzum, 45. Both are now charged with child abuse resulting in injury and child neglect resulting in injury.
Investigators say Lewis Nuzum admitted to striking his daughter but insisted he used only his hand.
“Beat the a— off her,” he allegedly told officers, claiming he never used objects.
Josephine Nuzum also denied using items to hit the child, suggesting instead that the girl “does this every year school starts,” referring to the allegations. However, the child’s detailed description of the objects, along with the injuries documented by school staff, contradicts those claims.
Child Claims She Was Repeatedly Locked in Her Bedroom
In addition to the beatings, the 9-year-old told investigators that her parents frequently locked her in her bedroom while they “went out to smoke.” When questioned about this, the Nuzums reportedly claimed they did so because the girl once attempted to call 911 using a phone she retrieved from their room.
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Deputies conducted a search of the home and found physical evidence supporting the child’s account. Officers located a wooden block with screws and a locking mechanism attached to it, designed to align with holes in the girl’s bedroom door, effectively restricting her from leaving.
Investigators described the locking setup as a “deliberate mechanism intended to confine the child.”
Evidence Contradicts Parents’ Claims
The detailed statements provided by the girl, along with the injuries and the physical locking device discovered during the search, led investigators to conclude that the abuse was intentional, repeated, and escalating.
Reports from the local CBS affiliate WDTV further outline inconsistencies in the parents’ accounts and emphasize that the child’s injuries aligned with her descriptions of the objects used.
Police also noted that the girl expressed fear but still took the initiative to go to school, despite her father trying to keep her home.
Couple Booked Into Regional Jail With High Bail
Following the investigation, both Lewis and Josephine Nuzum were arrested and booked into the Tygart Valley Regional Jail. According to court records, bail was set at $100,000 for Lewis and $50,000 for Josephine. As of Monday, both remained in custody.
Authorities have not disclosed whether Child Protective Services has placed the girl in protective care, but officials emphasized that additional interviews and assessments may occur as the case proceeds.
Ongoing Case Draws Community Concern
Child abuse cases in smaller communities like Taylor County often spark widespread public concern due to the close-knit nature of the area. Officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and to report any signs of childhood neglect or mistreatment. While the full extent of the abuse may unfold over time, the preliminary findings point to a pattern of repeated physical harm and confinement.
Anyone following this case can expect updates as court proceedings move forward. For deeper discussions on cases like this and broader true-crime insights, consider tuning into mikeandjonpodcast.com, where ongoing national stories are regularly analyzed.
