Woman charged with child neglect

WOOD COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A woman is charged with child neglect after driving while on Vicodin, meth, and heroin.

On August 21st, 2022, Ptl. M.D. McMullen responded to a series of concerning incidents in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The first call came from 2521 Murdoch Avenue, where a disorderly motorist had been reported, but upon arrival, the officer was unable to locate the vehicle or driver.

A short time later, Ptl. McMullen was dispatched to 3000 Emerson Avenue, where a “check subject” call had come in regarding a woman and her young child exhibiting strange behavior.

At the gas station, the clerk relayed that the woman, later identified as Ashley Renee Curry-Vaughn, had driven her 2017 red Toyota Camry to the location, gone inside, and requested the restroom key, only to immediately hand it back and ask to use the phone to call for a tow truck, which she never did. She then asked for the restroom key again but did not go inside.

Surveillance footage confirmed the clerk’s account, showing Curry-Vaughn’s bizarre actions within the store.

Dispatch informed Ptl. McMullen that Curry-Vaughn had been seen walking towards a nearby Dollar General on Dudley Avenue, and the officer could locate her there.

Once confronted, Curry-Vaughn began acting erratically, refusing to provide her name and screaming inside the store despite Ptl. McMullen’s instructions for her to exit.

Her eyes were bloodshot and glossy, and she admitted to relapsing on Vicodin while actively using methamphetamine and heroin.

Given that Curry-Vaughn had been operating a vehicle while under the influence of these substances with her 2-year-old daughter in the car, she had clearly placed the child at serious risk of injury or even death.

Curry-Vaughn’s disturbing behavior continued even while in custody, as she moved erratically, tried to stand up while handcuffed to a hospital bed, and ranted about events that were not actually occurring.

Ptl. McMullen determined that Curry-Vaughn was incapable of properly caring for or ensuring the safety of her young child, and he has requested a warrant for child neglect with risk of death or bodily injury.