A Raleigh County, West Virginia, man has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including incest, sexual abuse, and child neglect, after authorities discovered he had an incestuous relationship with his biological daughter, resulting in the birth of three children. 43-year-old Kenneth Cook of MacArthur was taken into custody on Thursday, March 6, and is facing charges of sexual abuse by a parent or custodian, third-degree sexual assault, child neglect, and three counts of incest.
According to a criminal complaint, investigators allege that between 2019 and March 2024, Cook engaged in a non-consensual sexual relationship with his biological daughter, Alexzandrea Thomas, now 21 years old. The relationship led to the birth of three children, currently aged 5, 3, and 1. The first child was conceived when Thomas was under the age of 16, and Cook was 38 years old at the time. Throughout this period, Cook and Thomas were residing together in the same household.
Authorities launched an investigation following a referral from Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding concerns of abuse and neglect involving the youngest child, who, at one year old, weighed only six pounds. Medical personnel at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) determined that the child was severely malnourished and exhibited signs of medical neglect.
Further concerns were raised when the attending physician noted physical characteristics commonly associated with an incestuous relationship. This prompted genetic testing, which was conducted on all three children and later sent to the Mayo Clinic for analysis. The test results confirmed that the children’s parents shared a first-generational biological relationship, indicating that their parents were either a parent and child or full-blooded siblings. As Thomas has no full-blooded siblings, investigators determined that Cook was the biological father of all three children.
Cook is currently being held at Southern Regional Jail on a $500,000 bond as the investigation continues. The tragic case has left the MacArthur community in shock and raised serious concerns about child welfare and the need for intervention in abusive situations.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. This case underscores the importance of vigilance and reporting in protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse and neglect.