OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. — A former Wheeling Middle School principal accused of felony child abuse appeared in Ohio County Magistrate Court this week, where a judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to move forward to circuit court.
Richard McCardle appeared Tuesday for a probable cause hearing related to allegations stemming from an incident reported earlier this year at Wheeling Middle School.
The case was investigated by the Wheeling Police Department, which filed a felony child abuse charge against McCardle in June following a months-long investigation.
During the hearing, investigators testified about evidence gathered during the case, including surveillance video that was shown in court. According to testimony, the video allegedly shows McCardle physically restraining a student and taking the child to the ground during an incident at the school.
Court testimony indicated the altercation followed disciplinary issues involving the student. Defense attorneys argued McCardle was acting in his role as a school administrator attempting to maintain order and control within the school environment.
The defense also questioned whether the injuries allegedly sustained by the student met the legal threshold required for a felony charge, arguing prosecutors had not presented sufficient evidence of substantial physical pain.
Prosecutors disagreed, contending the student suffered multiple injuries and continued experiencing pain in the days following the incident. They argued the actions shown in the video went beyond reasonable discipline and constituted excessive force.
After hearing testimony from both sides, Magistrate William “Mike” Lemon determined there was enough evidence to establish probable cause and ordered the case bound over to Ohio County Circuit Court for further proceedings.
A circuit court hearing date has not yet been announced.
As with all criminal cases, the charge remains an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
