Juan Jose Benitez-Chacon of West Virginia is facing charges of child neglect after allegedly leaving a young boy alone in a garage while he went on a trip. Although neighbors reportedly helped the child during the day, there was no access to food, water, or even a bathroom. And if there was an emergency, the child had no way of getting help or letting anyone know if he was in danger. Now, the man is facing felony charges.
Deputies from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department were alerted to a child “who was left alone in a garage for approximately one week,” according to the criminal complaint obtained by WBOY. When deputies arrived at the home, they found the child inside a small garage.
Authorities were told that 34-year-old Benitez-Chacon, who was supposed to be taking care of the boy, was out of town. He had gone “with no known return date.”
The child told deputies there was assistance from neighbors during the day, WDTV reported. But there was no help during the night, and if there was an emergency, no one was in visible or audible range.
The decision made by Benitez-Chacon left the child in an “extremely unsafe” situation, officials said.
Authorities have not specified the relationship between Juan Jose Benitez-Chacon and the child, People reported. He was arrested and charged with gross neglect of a child creating substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury — a felony charge. He was being held at North Central Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond, with his next court appearance set for September 3.
