UPDATE: Man Duct Tapes 2-Year-Old Boy, Out on Probation
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Updated: 5:46 PM Jan 30, 2012
UPDATE: Man Duct Tapes 2-Year-Old Boy, Out on Probation
James Usher was sentenced to the Anthony Center last year.
Posted: 5:46 PM Jan 30, 2012
Reporter: Anna Baxter; Jeremy Edwards; Kallie Cart; The Associated Press
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com; jeremy.edwards@wsaz.com; kallie.cart@wsaz.com; news@wsaz.com
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UPDATE 1/30/12 @ 5:45 p.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man from Charleston who tied up a two-year-old with duct tape is now back on the streets.

James Usher was sentenced to the Anthony Center last year.

He was arrested back in 2010 after he and a woman named Della Jackson duct-taped a little boy's mouth shut and then taped his hands and ankles together.

Usher was back in court Monday. He was released from the Anthony Center and was placed on probation.



UPDATE 2/10/11 @ 11 a.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A Charleston teenager convicted of duct-taping a 2-year-old boy has been sentenced to a facility for youthful offenders.

The Associated Press reports that a Kanawha County judge sentenced 19-year-old James Usher to the Anthony Correctional Center this week. The program at Anthony can be completed in six months to two years.

Usher was convicted in May 2010 of felony child abuse.

In March 2010, another defendant, Della Kay Jackson, pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and the boy's mother, Jessica McClure, pleaded guilty to a child neglect charge. Both received probation.



UPDATE 5/05/10 @ 5:15 p.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A jury found James Usher guilty of child abuse late Wednesday afternoon.

Usher and another woman, Della Jackson, duct-taped a two-year-old boy's mouth and then taped his hands and ankles together.

Jackson and the mother of the little boy testified against Usher Wednesday.

He now faces one to five years in prison.

No sentencing date has been set just yet.



UPDATE 3/29/10
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A disturbing case of child abuse in Charleston continues to move forward.

Jessica McClure pleaded guilty today to a child endangerment charge.

McClure was arrested back in January after she forced her two-year-old son to sleep in a child's safety seat.

Police say her apartment on Indiana Avenue was also filled with garbage, animal feces and infested with roaches.

Two other people were arrested and charged with duct taping the little boy's hands, ankles and mouth shut.

Della Jackson pleaded guilty to the charges last week.

James Usher is still awaiting trial in the case.

Both Jackson and McClure have agreed to testify against Usher.

McClure is facing one to five years in prison when she is sentenced on June 24.



UPDATE 2/11/10
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man and woman accused of duct taping a little boy -- then taking pictures -- say they didn't do it.

James Usher and Della Jackson both pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse creating risk of injury.

The pair was arrested January 4 after police say they taped a two-year-old boy's hands and ankles together and put tape over his mouth.

The boy's mother, Jessica McClure, was also charged with child neglect for the conditions of the home her child lived in on Indiana Street.

Police say the home was filthy and unsafe for a child to live in.

McClure also pleaded not guilty today.

All three are scheduled to be in court May 3 for their trial.



ORIGINAL STORY 1/4/10
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Two people are accused of abusing and neglecting a two-year-old child in Charleston.

According to the criminal complaint, Jessica McClure allegedly forced the young boy to sleep in a child safety seat on the floor. Police also say the floor of the apartment on Indiana Avenue was filled with garbage, animal feces and was infested with roaches.

McClure has been charged with child neglect creating risk of injury. She is being held in the South Central Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond.

James Usher has also been charged in connection with the abuse case.

According to the criminal complaint, Usher was watching the child when he and another person named Della Jackson decided to duct tape the child. Police say the boy's ankles where taped together, his arms were taped to his body, and his mouth was duct taped shut.

Usher and Jackson then took a picture of the boy with a digital camera.

The pictures were found by another person who then reported the abuse to police.

Usher has been charged with child abused resulting in injury.

Police are still trying to locate Jackson.

If you have any information about Jackson's whereabouts, you're urged to call Charleston Police at (304) 348-6480.

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Latest Comments

Posted by: Loving Parent on Jan 31, 2012 at 09:49 AM

I agree with that they did need to call the police if you saw something like that happening its common sense
Posted by: Amy on Jan 30, 2012 at 07:55 PM

Let me guess, the court allowed them to have the child back under their roof also, right?
Posted by: citizen on Feb 14, 2011 at 09:03 AM

I beleive all that all involved should recieve the same punishment. However, the Judge passes judgement, because we gave him the job. The law needs to be changed by our representives, not the Judge.
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