‘Beat the a— off her’: Parents pummeled 9-year-old with metal flyswatter, belt, wooden paddle with holes and locked her up when they ‘went out to smoke,’
Left: Lewis Nuzum II. Right: Josephine Nuzum (West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation).
A 9-year-old girl in West Virginia arrived at school with visible bruises and told staff that her parents allegedly beat her with a metal flyswatter, a belt, and a wooden paddle with holes. Authorities say the child was also repeatedly locked in her room while her parents went outside to smoke.
Lewis Nuzum II, 52, and Josephine Nuzum, 45, are each facing charges of child abuse resulting in injury and child neglect resulting in injury, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime. The charges follow an investigation by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.
Court documents obtained by local CBS affiliate WDTV detail the accusations, including statements the couple allegedly made to investigators. Police say the Nuzums admitted to disciplining the child physically but denied using objects, claiming they only used their hands. The girl, however, told school staff that she was struck with a silver and green metal flyswatter, a brown belt with a turquoise buckle, and a wooden paddle.
Lewis Nuzum allegedly told police he had “beat the a— off her,” but said it was only with his hand. Josephine Nuzum reportedly told investigators the child “does this every year school starts,” referencing prior incidents, according to the documents.
The girl told police she had bruises on her face and eyelid from being hit with the flyswatter. She said she cried and that her father tried to prevent her from going to school the following day, but she insisted on attending. Regarding being locked in her room, the parents allegedly said they had previously caught her trying to call 911 while they were outside, using a cellphone they said she had taken from their room.
A search of the home revealed what police allege was a wooden block with screws and a locking mechanism designed to secure the girl’s bedroom door.
Both Nuzums were arrested and booked at Tygart Valley Regional Jail. Court records show bail set at $100,000 for Lewis Nuzum and $50,000 for Josephine Nuzum. As of Monday, both remained in custody.
About Post Author
