Dad charged with hitting, throwing 2-year-old daughter; girl has severe injuries (Lesage, West Virginia)

Dad is identified as LAURENCE BESS. Notice that there is NO MENTION of a mother in this home or anywhere else, just a vague referral to an "ex-girlfriend." Is this a custodial dad? Did the abuse take place during visitation? The media chooses not to tell us.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/Father_Facing_Charges_after_Hitting_Throwing_2-Year-Old_Daughter_161607675.html

Updated: Sun 9:05 AM, Jul 08, 2012

Father Facing Charges after Hitting, Throwing 2-Year-Old Daughter

 LESAGE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A father is behind bars for allegedly abusing his two-year-old daughter.

According to court documents, Laurence Bess, 25, of Lesage, W.Va., is charged with child abuse with injury, two counts of child neglect with injury and obstruction.

Cabell County deputies were called to a local hospital for a severely injured child on June 19. Court documents indicate the two-year-old had bruises all over her face, a cut below her bottom lip, a fractured ankle and a fractured orbital rim above her eye.

Bess told deputies he first noticed the injuries when he woke up that morning, and had no idea how they happened. The court papers show Bess then told CPS he had driven the two-year-old to his house without a child car seat, and she had hit her head on his gear shift.

Bess then agreed to an interview with deputies to further discuss the injuries. During the interview, deputies say Bess maintained his story of not having a car seat, but admitted he had lied about his daughter hitting her head on the gear shift.

Bess went on to explain he was stressed out and tired, and became violent when the little girl had a tantrum at home. According to court documents, Bess smacked his daughter across the face and tossed her on the bed, which resulted in her bouncing into the wall. He claimed she fell down and hit a space heater.

Bess noticed her injuries, but rather than seeking medical attention, texted his ex-girlfriend to pick up the two-year-old so he could go to work, according to court documents.

A hearing has been schedule for July 12 at 10:30 a.m. Bess is in the Western Regional Jail with an $80,000 bond.