PARKERSBURG - A Parkersburg man was arrested and jailed Thursday, charged with causing the death of a child in his care.
Matthew E. Lamp, 29, was charged by the Parkersburg Police Department with the death of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian. He is accused of the death of a 3-year-old boy who was in his care.
Police have been investigating the death since Sunday afternoon.
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Matthew Lamp, 29, Parkersburg, walks into Wood County Magistrate Robin Waters’ Court escorted by Parkersburg police Detectives J.M. Stalnaker and J.E. Corbitt.
"While in the care of the defendant the victim received substantial injuries to his body from the defendant, which said injuries resulted in the death of (the minor identified in court papers as (D.K.)," the complaint states. "The defendant admits to intentionally striking 'D.K.'"
Lamp is the believed to be the boyfriend of the child's biological mother, Parkersburg police Sgt. Greg Collins said.
The toddler was critically injured Sunday at the 32nd Street home of his mother. The child was taken to Camden Clark Medical Center and later taken by medical helicopter to Morgantown.
The 3-year-old boy passed away about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, according to Collins.
Detectives from the police department and Child Protective Services were called by Camden Clark personnel.
According the criminal complaint, the victim was left in the "care, custody and control" of Lamp.
Lamp was escorted into Magistrate Court by Detective J.M. Stalnaker and Detective J.E. Corbitt. He kept his head down on the desk with has hands handcuffed behind his back waiting for Magistrate Robin Waters to complete the paperwork.
Lamp is no stranger to the Wood County justice system. According to records, he has been charged with 28 offenses, dating back more than a decade. Lamp was jailed Monday on a bench warrant from Waters for failing to appear at hearings related to previous charges.
Lamp was interviewed at Parkersburg police headquarters Thursday afternoon, Collins said. Detectives and prosecutors elected to charge Lamp with death of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian following that interview, Collins said.
Jay Gerber has been assigned as his attorney. Gerber is already handling Lamp's other cases.
Lamp faces 10 to 40 years in prison if convicted.
Following his arraignment Lamp was returned to the North Central Regional Jail. He will be scheduled for an appearance in Wood County Circuit Court within the next 10 days on the capital offense.
"Numerous detectives have worked long hours since the initial report at CCMC on Sunday," Collins said.
Collins said no charges have been filed against the mother or any other person; however, the investigation is continuing.
