Local Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Toddler

A Moundsville man is charged with sexually abusing a 3-year-old girl in his care.

Police said William Brenton McClelland, 38, forced the toddler to play a game he called "Dora The Explorer" in which he forced her to touch him sexually.

McClelland is being held at the West Virginia Northern Regional Jail on one felony count of first degree sexual abuse and one felony count of sexual abuse by a custodian.

The victim's mother said McClelland never denied that he sexually abused the little girl.

Marshall County Sheriff John Gruzinskas said sexual abuse is becoming a serious problem across the Ohio Valley.

"There's a great deal of sex offenders that are on the state's website from Ohio, Marshall, Brooke and Hancock counties. Why? I don't know," Gruzinskas said.

He said the best thing parents can do is know and trust the people caring for their children.

"You have to be absolutely sure of who you're leaving your child with. You have to make sure that they would care for your child as well as and as lovingly as the parent would," Gruzinskas said.

Some residents said they are outraged that this type of abuse is happening.

Nancy Nice, of Moundsville, said, "That's disgusting. He's sick and he needs help. And it's a shame there's more and more of them now. You always hear of some guy molesting kids and I think it's sick."

Roger McDiffitt, of Cameron, agreed.

"I think there's some crazy people in the world," McDiffitt said. "What's going to happen next?"

-Renee Cardelli & Allison Latos, NEWS9