PARKERSBURG -A Parkersburg man charged with the death of a 3-year-old is set for a preliminary hearing next week. Investigators are still waiting on reports to see if there will be additional arrests.
Matthew E. Lamp, 29, was charged last week 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.
Lamp has a preliminary hearing in magistrate court Monday. Law enforcement officials have completed interviews and are awaiting autopsy reports.
"We are working with the prosecutor, who is reviewing the statements taken and physical evidence present to see if any other people will be charged," Parkersburg police Sgt. Greg Collins said.
The toddler, identified as DK in the criminal complaint, was fatally injured earlier this month 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 where he passed away a few days later.
Detectives from the police department and Child Protective Services were called by Camden Clark personnel.
Lamp is the believed to be the boyfriend of the child's biological mother, according to police. Collins said the mother's initial statement was the child's injury was accidental.
Collins said additional interviews have been conducted, but he would not say if the woman's statements changed. Collins also would not say if the toddler's mother was at home at the time of the incident.
According the criminal complaint, the toddler was left in the "care, custody and control" of Lamp.
According to records, Lamp previously has been charged with 28 offenses, dating back more than a decade. He remains incarcerated at the North Central Regional Jail.
