Jury convicts Castlewood man of abuse that led to child’s leg amputation
RUSSELL COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — A Castlewood, Virginia man connected to alleged abuse that left a child with a partially amputated leg was found guilty on child abuse charges after a five-day jury trial.
According to a release from the Commonwealth Attorney of Russell County Zack Stoots, Michael Shik Park, 44, was found guilty of reckless endangerment of a child and child abuse/neglect causing serious injury.
Neighbors say they didn’t know Russell Co. couple charged with abuse had children
The charges stemmed from an investigation that took place in 2022 in the Gravel Lick area of Russell County, the release said. Evidence presented at the trial stated the neglect took place between December 2022 and January 2023.
Parks was arrested in January 2023, along with another suspect, Rebecca Bremner. A jury trial for Bremner is scheduled for July 8, 2024.
Court documents previously obtained by News Channel 11 alleged the abused child had to have a part of their leg amputated below the knee due to frostbite. The Russell County Sheriff’s Office reportedly began investigating the pair after the child appeared at a hospital with black feet from frostbite.
According to investigators and court documents, the child had been living in a box trailer on the property that could not be exited with a toilet that Bremner claimed was changed “about twice a week.”
“We are pleased with the outcome of this case,” Stoots said in the release Friday. “The jury determined that the child victim in this case was subjected to abuse and neglect, and we look forward to presenting evidence at the defendant’s sentencing hearing.”
Stoots said he plans to ask the court for the maximum sentence against Park.
Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now
Crime Watch
Park was placed in custody after the conviction. His sentencing is scheduled to take place on April 11 at 1 p.m.
The case was investigated by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Virginia State Police.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
