Two charged after spider bite leads to near-fatal infection for toddler

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Two are facing charges after a toddler was flown to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital with a severely infected spider bite.

Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Department were called to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital Nov. 19 and learned the 14-month-old female required surgery on one of her legs due to infection.

Linsie Gray, 22, and Eric Melton, 20, told deputies the girl had been bitten on or around Nov. 16. The child was transported after the bite became infected and had a foul smell.

Doctors told deputies the child could have died if treatment had been delayed any longer.

Deputies said an inspection of the home revealed deplorable conditions with dog feces, garbage, and soiled dog training pads throughout the house.

On Nov. 21, deputies learned the child had two more surgeries and will require more in the future to clean the wound. It is not known if the child will lose the leg.

Gray and Melton are being held in the North Central Regional Jail on a $50,012 bond each.