HARRISON COUNTY, W.Va. – A Nutter Fort woman has been charged with child abuse after allegedly hitting a 7-year-old boy with a belt over a period of months, causing bruising and bleeding.
The investigation began when troopers obtained a photo of injuries to the boy, which a witness said were caused by Elizabeth Bills, 31.
During a forensic interview with the child, police learned Bills hit the boy over a period between February and August of 2023. Troopers said the victim told them Bills “whips him hard” and “it hurts a lot when she uses the metal buckle.”
Reports indicate the bruises were red, blue, or black and would be from his back to his buttocks and sometimes on the arms and legs. Bills also forced the boy to stay away from family members in order to hide the marks on his body.
On one occasion, the victim told police she made him bleed during one beating and didn’t seem to care when he showed her. The victim also said he was beaten with a belt buckle on one occasion for waking Bills up.
Troopers said they have video of Bills questioning the victim in the corner while he cried about being hit in the head. An injury the victim said Bills did not seek treatment for.
Additionally, the witness told troopers that Bills kept the child home from daycare for a week in an effort to conceal the injuries.
Bills has been charged with three counts of child abuse causing injury and is being held in the North Central Regional Jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond.