Charges filed in drowning of Burgettstown teen
WEIRTON, W.Va. – Two Weirton residents are facing charges in connection with the recent drowning of a Burgettstown teen.
Thirteen-year-old Reese Hanshaw drowned June 30 while swimming in the Ohio River in Weirton.
According to information from Weirton Police Chief Charlie Kush, Ashley Shelton, 29, and Joshua Lockerbie, 34, both of Weirton, were arrested Wednesday in connection with the teen’s death.
Each faces one felony count of child neglect causing death and five felony counts of gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.
They are being held in the West Virginia Northern Regional Jail.
Weirton police said first responders were called at 6:55 p.m. to Veterans Memorial Bridge, where Reese had been swimming with family members. Adam Mortimer, a Weirton police officer, brought Hanshaw out of the water. She was transported to Weirton Medical Center, where she later died.
“My niece was a sweet ray of sunshine to many,” said Becky Watlet, Hanshaw’s aunt, at the time.
A GoFundMe campaign for Hanshaw’s family has raised more than $10,000 since the incident.