CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Police has arrested a man in Harrison County for allegedly beating a juvenile to the point where they “did not feel safe” in their home.
Bruno Guillermo Martinez, 39, is in custody after an investigation that was prompted by a report that a Harrison County student had been a victim.
According to a criminal complaint, troopers were notified on January 21 and were told that by the victim that Martinez allegedly physically abused them on January 17. During the interview with the victim, troopers were also told that Martinez allegedly had punched them in the face during an argument and that he had grabbed them by the throat, pushed them up against the wall and ripped the front of their shirt. Visibile wounds were notifified by troopers as part of the interview, where the victim allegedly had a bruise on their right cheek as a result of the incident.
The Harrison County Child Advocacy Center, conducted a follow-up interview where victim reported the same incident and added that they “did not feel safe” at home as long as Martinez was there. A witness who was interviewed also stated that Martinez allegedly struck the victim in the face and injured them.
Martinez was interviewed by troopers during the investigation, who said that he “did not recall any details” about the incident due to “whiting out” from anger.
Martinez has been charged with child abuse resulting in injury. He is being held in the North Central Regional Jail.