PRINCETON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Princeton man was arrested after police say a neighbor discovered him passed out on his back porch while an infant with apparent head injuries cried nearby and a toddler remained inside the home.
According to the Princeton Police Department, officers responded to a welfare check at 211 Airport Drive at approximately 7:14 p.m. on June 6 after a neighbor reported concerns about the safety of a young child.
Jeremiah Nelson told officers he was in the backyard of his home next door when he observed his neighbor, Zachary Pennington, apparently unconscious on the back porch. Nelson also reported hearing a baby crying and screaming continuously for approximately an hour.
Fearing for the child’s safety, Nelson climbed over the fence separating the properties to investigate.
According to the police report, Nelson found an infant lying on the porch while Pennington was passed out in a chair nearby. Nelson believed the child had fallen from Pennington’s arms and suffered injuries to the back of her head.
Nelson immediately picked up the infant, woke Pennington, and carried the child inside the residence while waiting for emergency responders.
When officers arrived, they made contact with Pennington at the front door. Police reported that he appeared highly intoxicated, emitting a strong odor of alcohol. Officers also observed him staggering and using the exterior wall of the home to keep from falling.
When asked if he was intoxicated, Pennington denied being drunk, according to the report.
Officers soon learned Pennington had been home alone caring for both the injured infant and a toddler child. After observing injuries to the infant’s head, officers detained Pennington while the investigation continued.
Nelson remained inside the residence holding and caring for the infant until emergency medical personnel arrived.
EMS responded to the scene and evaluated the child before transporting the infant to WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital for further treatment and evaluation.
Police contacted the infant’s mother, who was at work when the incident occurred. Officers advised her of the situation, and she immediately left work and went to the hospital to be with her daughter.
During the investigation, Pennington told officers he had consumed “only eight beers” prior to their arrival.
While walking through the residence, officers reported finding numerous open and empty cases of Michelob Ultra beer throughout the home. Police also observed an open case of beer on a counter with several cans missing.
On the back porch where the infant was found, officers discovered multiple empty beer cans alongside a baby’s bottle that still contained milk. Investigators also reported finding drug paraphernalia inside the residence and detecting a strong odor of burnt marijuana.
After collecting statements from witnesses, officers transported Pennington and the toddler to the Princeton Police Department. The toddler was later released to her mother.
According to the report, Crigger told officers she and Pennington were no longer together because of his heavy alcohol use. She also stated that Pennington has a history of excessive drinking. Police noted in the report that Pennington has two previous DUI arrests.
Investigators requested that Pennington submit to a blood draw to determine his blood alcohol content. According to police, Pennington declined and requested an attorney.
Pennington was subsequently processed and transported to Southern Regional Jail, where he was held pending arraignment.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information regarding the infant’s condition has not been released.
