A 31-year-old Clarksburg woman is facing a child-neglect charge after deputies say she crashed a Chevrolet Malibu on Murphy Run Road and then fled into nearby woods, leaving a child inside the damaged vehicle.
Sydni Healy was charged with child neglect creating a substantial risk of injury or death, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. She was being held at the North Central Regional Jail on a $50,000 bond.
The incident happened Sunday, Sept. 20, in Clarksburg. Deputies were called to a single-vehicle crash on Murphy Run Road after receiving information that the driver had left the scene on foot and headed toward the area of Summit Park.
When deputies arrived, they found the child still inside the vehicle. The child was not injured, although authorities said the child was not wearing a seat belt at the time.
Investigators also spoke with a man who said Healy had driven him to work earlier that morning, around 10:40 a.m. He told deputies that Healy initially appeared to be fine but later began behaving strangely. After learning about the crash, he went to the scene, where he said Healy became upset before running into the woods.
The child later gave deputies information about what happened. Investigators said the child did not know exactly how the crash occurred because they had been looking at a phone at the time.
The Malibu sustained heavy damage, including significant damage to the roof on the passenger side.
Deputies eventually located Healy in the nearby wooded area. According to authorities, she showed signs of impairment during field sobriety testing. She was taken into custody and later booked into the North Central Regional Jail.
Healy is accused of neglect that created a substantial risk of injury or death. The charge is an allegation, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Her preliminary hearing in Harrison County Magistrate Court is scheduled for Sept. 29.
