BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Two Williamson parents face multiple charges after deputies found a neglected child wandering alone and discovered unsafe conditions inside a home.

Kailee M. Gerardi, 25, and Zachary Wayne Johnson, 27, both of Williamson, were charged with child neglect causing injury, four counts of child neglect creating risk of injury, and animal abuse, according to the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department.

On Thursday, Mingo County deputies T.J. Justice, Jacob May and R.A. Moore responded to West 5th Avenue in Williamson after a caller reported finding a small, naked child walking alone in the street. The caller said she did not recognize the child and had taken the child inside to provide clothing.

When deputies arrived, they found the child covered in a blue, sticky substance and unable to communicate. Officers and volunteers knocked on doors in the area but could not find where the child lived.

Authorities contacted Child Protective Services and EMS personnel transported the child to Appalachian Regional Hospital. Medical staff found multiple bruises and marks, matted and dirty hair, and feces and bruising in the lower body and private areas.

While at the hospital, deputies learned that the child’s mother, Gerardi, had arrived. She identified the child as her 4-year-old daughter. Gerardi told deputies the child was autistic and that she had not stayed at home the previous night and had stayed with a friend.

According to the criminal complaint, Gerardi said her husband, Johnson, had been responsible for five children. She went with deputies to the address where Johnson and the other children were staying. Johnson was outside the home, and deputies arrested both adults.

CPS workers entered the home with deputies and found four children asleep on a single mattress in the living room. Deputies described the home as unsafe for children. Used diapers were scattered on the floor and cat food had been poured on the kitchen floor.

A child showed deputies a broken window that provided access to the outside. Several other windows had jagged, unrepaired edges.

Deputies also found a dog confined in a cage with urine and feces inside the container and on the dog. The animal had no food or water and appeared malnourished.

A cousin of Johnson told deputies that Johnson had told him the one child was missing and he was unable to locate her. The cousin said he advised Johnson to call 911, but Johnson contacted his wife about the situation, according to the police report.

Gerardi first went to a local police office but did not find any officers and then made her way to ARH.

Police found that Johnson never contacted 911.

CPS took the four remaining children into protective custody.

Gerardi and Johnson were processed and arraigned in Mingo County Magistrate Court.

(All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)