West Virginia Stepmother Arrested for Child Abuse After Whipping Daughter
Police allege MaCayla Johnson used a belt on her 7-year-old stepdaughter, stating she wanted the child to 'feel pain.'
A West Virginia stepmother, MaCayla Johnson, 24, has been arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in injury. Authorities allege Johnson whipped her 7-year-old stepdaughter with a belt, stating her intention was for the child to "feel pain."
According to court documents obtained by WDTV, the incident came to light in September when the child's father contacted her school. He warned the school about an incident that he believed "went too far," which was later noticed by teachers.
The father told police that the girl was being disciplined for not listening. The girl reportedly stated her punishment did not hurt, prompting Johnson to retrieve a belt and strike her twice, according to the court documents. Johnson reportedly told the child, "Stop, if the punishment don’t hurt, why are you fighting it?"
Johnson told police she was feeling overwhelmed and "bombarded" at the time. Investigators reported finding bruising on the girl's arms, hand, and lower back. Johnson claimed the girl had been moving erratically in the bathroom, pinning herself between the bathtub and toilet during the incident.
When questioned by police, Johnson allegedly admitted that she felt she had gone too far. She is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $2,000 cash bond, with her next court hearing scheduled for October 26.
In a separate case, a Utah couple recently pleaded no contest to charges related to the torture and starvation of their 11-year-old son. Jeremiah and Jennifer Perkins faced charges of child torture and aggravated child abuse, respectively, after authorities found the boy severely malnourished and exhibiting signs of physical mistreatment. The child had lost 13 percent of his body weight over a five-month period and was found to be suffering from refeeding syndrome after being removed from the parents' custody in October 2025. Court documents indicated the boy was sometimes locked in a dog kennel or restrained with zip ties.