A judge in West Virginia has placed a 30-year-old woman on three years of probation following an incident where she was recorded kicking a child.
A criminal complaint reveals that the event occurred at an apartment in Huntington from June 27, 2022, to July 1, 2022. Staci Lynn Burgy, the defendant, was seen on video alongside a young girl seated in a pink chair.
Burgy reportedly stated, “This is Jackass.” This involves kicking a kid, seemingly alluding to the early 2000s television and film series that showcases performers executing daring stunts for comedic effect.
Burgy leaped into the air and delivered a kick to the girl’s side, a move recognized in professional wrestling as a dropkick. The police reported that the victim had bruising. The complaint did not specify her age. A local ABC station, WCHS, has reported that the girl featured in the video is a family member of Burgy.
Following the acquisition of the video by authorities a few days later, she was taken into custody on a felony charge of child abuse leading to injury. In July, a grand jury brought child abuse charges against Burgy, as reported by local CBS affiliate WOWK. The method by which police acquired a copy of the video remains uncertain.
Burgy admitted to unlawful assault on Tuesday, but Judge Gregory L. Howard of Cabell County Circuit Court rejected the plea agreement. Howard chose to defer adjudication and put Burgy on probation for a period of three years.
If she successfully completes the probation, the plea will be downgraded to a misdemeanor battery charge. If she fails to finish the probation, the judge has the option to bring back the unlawful assault charge, which could result in a prison sentence of up to five years.