A woman from Charleston has been taken into custody following allegations of child neglect and unlawful restraint. The charges were brought against Laura Southworth, 54, after her daughter, who was reportedly handcuffed for an extended period, sought help from a neighbor.
The incident came to light when local law enforcement received a call from a concerned neighbor on Monday. The neighbor reported that a young girl had come to their home seeking assistance, claiming she had been abused and was still partially handcuffed. Upon arrival, the police officers were able to verify the child’s claims, finding her with a handcuff still attached to her left wrist.
The girl alleged that her mother had restrained her as a form of punishment for stealing from her brothers. She had managed to free one hand from the cuffs but was unable to remove the other.
When investigators visited Southworth’s residence, they found the home in a state of disarray, with items scattered haphazardly across the floor. Southworth admitted to the officers that she had handcuffed her daughter from Sunday evening, around 8 p.m., until Monday morning, around 9 a.m. She justified her actions by citing the girl’s misbehavior, which included taking food, hiding it, and attempting to leave the house without permission.
The handcuff was reportedly very tight on the girl’s wrist, causing discomfort. However, the officers were eventually able to remove it.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about child abuse and neglect, highlighting the importance of community vigilance and the role of law enforcement in protecting vulnerable individuals.