Background: The home in Brenton, W.Va., where Timothy Vance allegedly attacked his family (Google Maps). Inset: Timothy Vance (Wyoming County Sheriff”s Office).
A man from West Virginia, accused of consuming alcohol and becoming aggressive with his family, reportedly confessed to law enforcement that he regretted not assaulting the teenager who attempted to diffuse the conflict.
Timothy Vance, aged 44, found himself in the custody of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office shortly past midnight on Friday. The arrest followed a call to the police made by one of the children in his household, reporting a domestic dispute between her parents, as detailed in a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime.
Upon the arrival of officers, Vance’s wife recounted that he commenced drinking around 8 p.m. the previous evening and subsequently dozed off. While they were in bed, Vance allegedly awoke and began to “kick her,” a behavior she attempted to disregard.
However, ignoring Vance seemed to exacerbate his aggression.
The complaint reveals that Vance allegedly proceeded to “slap her on the right side of her face” as she held their infant child. During this confrontation, Vance’s wife claimed he inadvertently struck the baby.
At this juncture, Vance’s wife explained that her teenage son, referred to by the initials L.S., entered the room to intervene in the dispute. According to police reports, Vance then allegedly tried to assault L.S. In response, Vance’s wife contacted Vance’s son, requesting his presence to help manage the situation.
Another child in the home, the daughter of Vance’s wife, also spoke to police at the scene and confirmed that Vance allegedly tried to attack L.S. She described the chaotic scene, which reportedly involved Vance “cussing and screaming at everyone in the house.” The girl told police that she saw Vance “swinging” at L.S. but he “never made contact.” She and L.S. eventually escaped to another room to call 911.
L.S. told police that he had gone in the bedroom to tell Vance “to stop cussing at his mom.” Vance then allegedly tried to attack him, which led L.S. to strike Vance in self-defense. The girl separated L.S. from Vance, who “continued to cuss and scream,” trying to get him to continue fighting.
Vance, who had been convicted of domestic battery in May, was arrested at his father’s home on the property. Police said he smelled of alcohol, and he reportedly told deputies, “I wish I could have beaten the s— out of [L.S.].”
Vance was taken into custody and charged with felony child neglect causing bodily injury and four counts of misdemeanor domestic assault.
