Human remains found outside of a home in West Virginia have been identified as a 16-year-old girl, with the discovery being made just one week after her stepfather was arrested on separate charges related to alleged sexual abuse.
James Truman was arrested on May 8, just four days after his stepdaughter, Shayln Harvey, was reported missing on May 4.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Monday, May 18, that human remains were found on the property of a home in Big Chimney, West Virginia, on Friday, May 15. The remains have since been confirmed to have belonged to Harvey.
Truman, 52, is currently in custody on charges of incest and sexual abuse by parent, guardian, custodian or other person in position of trust to a child.
Despite his charges being connected to the teen, he has not been charged in connection with Harvey’s death as of time of publication.
Harvey was last seen on May 2 in the same area where her remains were found. The sheriff’s office confirmed that she was reported missing two days later on May 4. Police originally said she may have gotten into a “blue Dodge Ram pickup truck from the early 2000s” at the time of her disappearance.
As the investigation into Harvey’s disappearance continued, police obtained a search warrant for a residence in the Big Chimney area. Kanawha County Chief Deputy Sean Snuffer said during a press conference on May 15 that the residence was where Harvey lived with her mother and Truman, according to WOWK.
An autopsy has been completed on Harvey’s body, but there is not yet a confirmed cause of death. The sheriff’s office added that they are currently investigating Harvey’s death as a homicide.
Truman’s incest and sex abuse charges stem from an incident that allegedly took place on or around April 15, according to online court records viewed by Law & Crime. However, no additional details about the alleged incident have been publicly shared.
It is not currently clear if Truman has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest.
Truman is still in custody at the Kanawha County Jail and is being held on $100,000 cash bond. His next court date regarding his current charges has not yet been announced.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office told Us Weekly they have no additional information to share regarding Harvey’s homicide investigation or Truman’s arrest. Police added that investigations into the two cases remain ongoing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
