West Virginia Man Arrested for Leaving Boy Alone in Garage for a Week

A 34-year-old man from West Virginia is in jail after being accused of abandoning an 8-year-old boy in a garage for a week, according to local authorities.

Juan Jose Benitez-Chacon, from Anmoore, is charged with gross neglect of a child, which could lead to serious penalties. He allegedly left the boy without food, water, or a bathroom while he traveled to Florida.

On August 15, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office received reports about a child left alone in a garage. When deputies arrived, they found the boy inside the small garage, with no provisions for his care. The child reportedly told the deputies he had no idea when Benitez-Chacon would return.

During the day, some neighbors helped the boy, but he was left alone at night. The complaint noted that the boy was in an “extremely unsafe” situation, as neighbors could not see or hear him in case he needed assistance.

It hasn’t been confirmed if Benitez-Chacon is the boy’s father, or what their exact relationship is. He is currently being held at the North Central Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond, with a court appearance set for September 3. It is not clear if he has a lawyer yet.