West Virginia State Police arrested a 52-year-old grandmother, Donna Kenneda, for child neglect after three young children were found alone at their residence on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 2:30 p.m.

The criminal complaint stated that Trooper B.R. Moore was attempting to locate a fugitive from justice and stopped at a residence in Big Split Hollow. Moore states the residence door was open and as he approached the residence a 6-year-old female, a 3-year-old female and a 2- year-old female came to the front door. The children told the officer they were alone in the residence.

The complaint states that after a few minutes at the residence Kenneda walked from her residence, which was located approximately 200 yards from the children’s residence.

The accused stated that she was the grandmother of the three children and was supposed to be watching the children.

Moore stated that he noticed that her speech was slurred and asked Kenneda if she was under the influence of anything and she allegedly stated her prescribed medication.

Moore requested to see the defendant’s medication which she produced. Kenneda had been prescribed 60 hydrocodone tablets on July 30, 2009 and only had six tablets left in the bottle.

While doing a search of Kenneda’s residence, Moore located a ceramic plate with what appeared to be pill residue and a snorting straw in a cabinet in the kitchen.

The complaint stated that the residence was a mess with knives and other dangerous objects lying in areas easily accessible to children.

Kenneda did a standard field sobriety test which the she failed.

Kenneda was arrested on felony charges of child neglect. She was arraigned in front of Mingo County Magistrate Dee Sidebottom where a bond of $300,000 was set.

Kenneda remains in the Southwestern Regional Jail.