Child Neglect Charges Filed Against Passenger
UPDATE: 5/17/2023 – After Kanawha County Deputies stopped a vehicle on MacCorkle Avenue in Saint Albans last week for driving without headlights, the passenger of that vehicle is now facing criminal charges as well.
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, a traffic stop for driving without headlights led to the arrest of 25-year-old Brian Oglesbee of Alum Creek after deputies found him to be operating a stolen vehicle while driving under the influence of controlled substances. Oglesbee was charged with a felony and several misdemeanor offenses which included child neglect creating substantial risk of injury after his 5-month-old daughter was found to be sitting on the passengers lap unrestrained.
The lead investigator, Corporal S.M. Adams filed a warrant in Kanawha County Magistrate Court against the passenger and child’s mother, Jozelyn M. Pauley, 20-years-old of Alum Creek. Pauley is also accused of child neglect creating substantial risk of injury after she permitted her 5-month-old daughter to ride in a stolen vehicle with Oglesbee who is accused of driving that vehicle while in an impaired state. Pauley, who was riding in the vehicle without a seatbelt herself, held her child on her lap and was in violation of the state law requiring the child to be restrained in a car safety seat. Illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia was found inside the vehicle that night and both Oglesbee and Pauley admitted to deputies they were smoking marijuana together just prior to driving, while Oglesbee admitted to smoking methamphetamine as well.
Jozelyn Pauley was arrested by deputies yesterday, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, and arraigned in Kanawha County Magistrate Court on the child neglect offense. A bond was set in the amount of $2500.00 cash, and she is currently being held at South Central Regional Jail. Oglesbee continues to remain in South Central Regional Jail on a $5000.00 surety/cash bond. Pauley and Oglesbee are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Should you have any information regarding this case, please contact Deputy S.M. Adams at Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, 304-357-0169 or submit a “tip” at www.kanawhasheriff.us under the “Tips” tab.
Post expires at 9:43am on Friday November 17th, 2023