In a complaint filed in the Magistrate Court of Calhoun County, Sgt. K.M. Williams of the West Virginia State Police, Grantsville detachment stated that he had received information on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at approximately 1:10 p.m. from a Minnie Hamilton Health Systems staff member that a woman in their facility reported injuries from her boyfriend of three years.
On the same date at around 1:30 p.m. Corporal S.W. Perdue and Sgt. Williams spoke with the Minnie Hamilton staff member who advised that the victim had injuries to her left face, as well as a brain bleed and would be transferred to another facility via helicopter due to her injuries.
The victim stated that she had accidentally got hit in the face. She later stated that “Bub” James Blankenship had thrown a thick glass bowl and struck her in the head, telling her that he was going to “teach her some respect.”
Another incident had occurred a little over a week prior when James Blankenship had punched her in the chin but she was fearful to report it. Visible injuries on the victim were seen to be a large fresh bruise to the left bicep approximately 2-3 inches in diameter, a hematoma to the left cheek which was 4-5 inches and had swollen approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inches and was bleeding.
James Forrest Blankenship was arrested and charged with Malicious Assault and Domestic Battery. He was taken to the WV Central Regional Jail to await trial. Mr. Blankenship is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
