Update – The Wood County Sheriff’s Office has finally taken Charles Hess into custody. WCSO reports that Hess was taken into custody around 8 p.m. in the area of Buckner Bend Road. No other details are available at this time.

Original – In West Virginia, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office is still searching for the man accused of assaulting his mother and burning down her residence. Around 7:59 a.m. on August 18, 2024, deputies responded to the area of 1882 Buckner Bend Road for a report of a domestic situation in which a female was stabbed in the head.

At the scene, responding deputies found that Charles Clinton Hess IV had allegedly assaulted his mother with a knife leading to non-life-threatening injuries to the scalp. The suspect fled the scene before deputies arrived. Authorities searched the area to no avail.

A warrant was obtained for attempted murder. WCSO says deputies returned to the scene throughout the day in an attempt to locate Hess. Around 2:12 a.m. on August 19, Wood County 911 received a call about a structure fire at 1882 Buckner Bend Road in Walker.

Authorities responded to the scene where they found the house fully engulfed. Fire departments put out the fire. WCSO believes Hess returned and was a contributing factor to the fire. Hess is still at large. Anyone who sees him is urged to call Wood County 911 immediately.