ROYALTON – Two were arrested on Monday after a child was found playing in the road on Merlin Taulbee Road.
According to the arrest citation, Magoffin County 911 had received a call from neighbors reporting a child playing in the road unsupervised. The neighbors reportedly watched the child to make sure he/she was safe until the child’s uncle came and got the child.
When Magoffin County Sheriff Department Deputy E. Salyer arrived at the home, the child’s uncle, identified as Mitchell Risner, 35, of Royalton, was reportedly sitting on the from porch and the child was playing on the porch in a white substance believed to be salt. Police reported that Risner appeared to be in a delusion state, according to the citation.
When asked, Risner first told police the child had been in the road for about 30 minutes, then stated maybe 4 minutes. When police asked for his information, he reportedly picked up the child, gave his Social Security number, went in the home and locked the door, according to the citation.
When Deputy Salyer ran the information through dispatch, they advised Risner had an active warrant. Police gained entry into the home, but Risner would not comply with verbal commands.
Neighbors provided police with video and a photo, as well as told police the child’s mother, identified as Harley Davis Ferguson, 27, also of Royalton, had been gone for over an hour.
Ferguson took responsibility for leaving the child with Risner, according to police.
Ferguson is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and Risner is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, resisting arrest and menacing.
Both were taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where Risner is still being held. Ferguson was released, pending future court dates.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
