Grandmother arrested after girl leaves Charleston home with handcuffs on looking for help: Police

EDITOR’S NOTE: The criminal complaint for Southworth said the child was her daughter. The Charleston Police Department said on Tuesday that the child was her granddaughter. This story has been updated to reflect new information.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — A Charleston woman was arrested for child abuse after her granddaughter went to her neighbor’s house for help while wearing handcuffs, according to the Charleston Police Department.

The Charleston Police Department said the juvenile — whose age was not in the release — left her home on Bridge Road just before 9 a.m. on Monday. They said she had handcuffs on when she went to a neighbor’s house for help.

According to a criminal complaint, Laura Southworth, 54, of Charleston, admitted to handcuffing the girl on Sunday evening because she was making a mess, “stealing food and placing it in hidden areas,” and trying to leave without permission.

The document said the handcuffs were left on for around 13 hours.

Southworth was arrested and charged with child abuse and unlawful restraint. She was arraigned around 1 p.m. on Monday.

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