Beckley woman jailed after strangling another woman

BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Beckley woman is in jail after she strangled another woman.

On July 8, 2024, Beckley Police responded to a reported assault on Scott Ave.

Upon arrival, Police spoke with the victim, who explained that she had been involved in a physical altercation with her roommate, Tabatha McClain. The victim mentioned that a disagreement over a job offer led to McClain becoming angry, yelling, and cursing at her.

Despite McClain’s demands for the victim to leave the house, she refused as she needed to collect her belongings. In response, McClain reportedly grabbed the victim’s neck and tried to remove her from the residence forcibly. After leaving the house, the victim headed towards 11th Street.

McClain pursued her, demanding a cell phone back, and proceeded to put her arm around the victim’s neck in a way that restricted her breathing before pulling her to the ground and taking the cell phone.

Police observed redness on her neck and fresh bruises on her arms. The victim was taken to Appalachian Regional Hospital by EMS for medical attention, where officers obtained statements from both the victim and her husband, who witnessed the incident.

The husband’s statement corroborated the victim’s account of the argument and the physical confrontation. He described how the victim’s face changed color, and her legs gave out when McClain restrained her.

After the incident, the victim and her husband sought help from a neighbor and contacted law enforcement.

Efforts to locate McClain at her residence were unsuccessful, as she had left before police arrival. Based on the visible marks and the statements provided, Police sought warrants against McClain for domestic battery and strangulation.

Background checks revealed no recent domestic convictions for McClain. This incident took place in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.