Latest news with #WeirtonPolice
CBS News
18-07-2025
- CBS News
2 adults charged after 13-year-old Washington County girl drowns in West Virginia
Two adults are facing charges after a 13-year-old Washington County girl drowned while swimming in the Ohio River in West Virginia. Ashley Shelton, 29, and Joshua Lockerbie, 34, of Weirton have been arrested and charged with one felony count of child neglect causing death and five felony counts of gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, Weirton police announced. On June 30, police said Shelton and Lockerbie took six kids ranging in age from 4 to 13 to the Ohio River to swim near the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Heavy rain throughout the day made the water levels high, and police said 13-year-old Reese Hanshaw of Burgettstown drowned after she was swept away by the current. Police said there were no flotation devices, and both Shelton and Lockerbie knew that none of the children were strong swimmers. Both Shelton and Lockerbie were arrested on Wednesday, arraigned and given a $150,000 bond. Both of them were incarcerated at the Northern Regional Jail in Moundsville. According to the Child's Safety Network, nearly 900 children and adolescents ages 0-19 die every year in the United States from unintentional drowning. For children ages 5-19, the network says drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- The Independent
13-year-old girl drowns trying to save cousin who was swept away by sudden current in West Virginia river
A 13-year-old Pennsylvania girl drowned after getting swept away by a strong rip current while trying to save her cousin as he swam in the Ohio River. Reese Hanshaw, of Burgettstown, was swimming with some of her relatives Monday around 7 p.m. near the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Weirton, West Virginia, when she got pulled away by a strong current, WPXI-TV reported. The teen had jumped into the stream to try and help when one of her younger cousins, as he was struggling to swim amidst the strong currents, got pulled away in the process, her family said. Police and EMS responded to the section of the river within minutes and brought Reese to shore. Life-saving efforts were immediately performed before she was taken to Weirton Medical Center, where she died. Weirton Police Chief Charlie Kush told WTAE that officers were nearby and responded quickly. "She was swimming with family members, and they could not get to her,' Kush said. 'Our officers happened to be, luckily enough, in the area where they responded very quickly. And one of our officers, Officer Adam Mortimer, entered the water and swam out around 40 yards and was able to bring her back to the shore.' The teen's aunt, Becky Watlet, said her death was an 'unimaginable loss' in a Facebook post. 'While enjoying a summer day with her cousins, Reese heroically gave her life saving her cousin's little boy, who was swept away by a sudden rip current,' Watlet wrote. 'At just 13 years old, Reese was a shining light – kind, courageous, and full of love. Her selflessness and bravery will forever be remembered by all who knew her.' Another aunt, Heather Durbin, set up a GoFundMe to help Hanshaw's father, a single dad to four kids, cover funeral expenses. 'We appreciate any and all support in this trying time as we grieve the loss of someone so young,' she wrote along with the fundraiser. As of Thursday, over $8,000 had been raised.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- CBS News
13-year-old Pittsburgh-area girl drowns in West Virginia
A 13-year-old girl from Washington County, Pennsylvania, drowned while swimming in the Ohio River in West Virginia on Monday. CBS affiliate WTRF reported that the 13-year-old girl from Burgettstown died after being swept away by the current near the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Weirton. The TV station reported, citing the Weirton Police Department, that officials received a call on Monday around 7 p.m. that a juvenile was pulled under the water by the current while swimming with family members. Officers responded within minutes and attempted to save the girl, who was brought ashore by first responders for life-saving measures. The 13-year-old Washington County girl was then taken to Weirton Medical Center, where she died, WTRF reported. The girl's identity has not been revealed as of Tuesday evening. The Weirton Police Department, the Weirton Fire Department and the Hancock County Ambulance Service reportedly responded to the scene. According to the Child's Safety Network, nearly 900 children and adolescents ages 0-19 die every year in the United States from unintentional drowning. For children ages 5-19, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths, according to the network. Teens are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers, reported. Experts said safety tips include wearing a life jacket, adult supervision and choosing swimming spots carefully.
