BIG CHIMNEY, W.Va. — Authorities confirmed that human remains found at a Big Chimney home belong to 16-year-old Shayln Harvey, whose disappearance sparked a search earlier this month.
Her stepfather, James Truman, 52, is in custody on charges of incest and sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or custodian, authorities said. He has not been charged in connection with Shayln’s death.
Timeline of Events
Shayln Harvey was reported missing on May 4, two days after she was last seen in the same area where her body was later found. Police initially said she may have gotten into a blue Dodge Ram pickup truck from the early 2000s.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the family residence in Big Chimney, where Shayln lived with her mother and Truman. Human remains were discovered on the property on Friday, May 15, and later confirmed to be Shayln’s, according to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
Charges Against James Truman
Truman’s incest and sexual abuse charges reportedly stem from an incident that occurred around April 15. He was arrested on May 8, shortly after Shayln was reported missing.
He remains in custody at the Kanawha County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond. The case has been bound over to the Kanawha County Circuit Court, and no date has yet been scheduled for his next court appearance.
Investigation Ongoing
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said an autopsy has been completed on Shayln’s body, but the cause of death has not yet been released. Authorities are investigating the death as a homicide, though Truman is not currently charged in connection with it.
Sheriff’s officials continue to ask anyone with information regarding Shayln’s death to contact their office.
