Babies removed from home, Charleston Daily Mail, by staff, August 4, 2008

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- An Elkview couple has been charged with battery after a dispute at their home.

Trooper D.S. Snavely went to the home on North Pinch Road late Wednesday.

He was met at the front door by Larry Wayne Harper, 38. Harper was put in the cruiser while Snavely investigated.

Troopers went back to the home and met with Candice Heather Harper, 26, who told them that she was tired of her husband beating on her all the time, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Magistrate Court.

She said he had smacked her leg, kicked her in the stomach, and pushed her. Snavely noticed swelling on her face below her left eye.

Larry Harper said he pushed his wife only because she had been harming their 21-month-old daughter and that he wanted her arrested for child abuse, according to the complaint.

Candice Harper told Snavely that she did spank the child, according to the complaint.

Snavely had the woman remove the baby's diaper. He said he noticed two abrasions that appeared to be linear and parallel in nature. They were not the sort of marks associated with spanking from a hand, he said.

Child Protective Services was called in for an evaulation. The girl and the couple's other child, a 4-month-old boy, were placed in the temporary custody of their grandparents in Elkview, according to the complaint. Larry Harper and Candice Harper were arrested and charged with domestic battery.



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