On January 21, 2017, at around 12:00 pm, Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority Medics and Kanawha County Deputy Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to 5800 MacCorkle Avenue in Jefferson to investigate a report of an toddler walking in the roadway. The toddler was a female wearing only a diaper. Numerous individuals stopped to assist the toddler and get her safely out of the roadway. Deputies were on scene for some time before being able to make contact with the parents of the toddler. Officers from the South Charleston Police Department arrived and assisted Deputies in locating the parents of the infant.
The parents, Tammie L. Gibson, 25 yoa, and Robert R. Hayes, 32 yoa, were arrested and charged with neglect creating risk of serious bodily injury. Both were processed at the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, transported to the South Central Regional Jail and will be arraigned when a Magistrate is available.
The toddler was examined by Ambulance personnel on scene and was not injured. Deputies learned from the parents of the toddler that she was 23 months old. Child Protective Services responded to the scene and will conduct their own investigation.
As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Ms. Gibson and Mr. Hayes are merely accusations. They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Attached are booking photographs of Mr. Hayes and Ms. Gibson.
