Calhoun County commissioner charged in sexual abuse case

UPDATE 9/15/25 @ 1:19 p.m.

CALHOUN COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Calhoun County Schools Superintendent Michael Fitzwater has given the following statement in regards to the arrest of Jacob McCumbers:

“Administration is aware of the recent arrest of classroom teacher Jacob McCumbers.

McCumbers, as required by state law, was immediately removed from the classroom when law enforcement initiated an investigation.

Appropriate personnel action will continue to be taken regarding McCumbers’ employment, but please understand personnel laws at this time prevent administration from being specific as to what the next step is, as employees are entitled to due process. However, McCumbers is not in the classroom, and the West Virginia Department of Education has also been notified. It is anticipated that the West Virginia Department of Education will also take appropriate steps, such as immediately suspending McCumbers teaching license given the pending criminal action.

The school system will make no further comments given the pending criminal action."

The statement confirms that McCumbers was a teacher at Calhoun County Schools.

ORIGINAL STORY

CALHOUN COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A Calhoun County commissioner has been arrested and charged for sexual abuse by parent, guardian, or custodian, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint said on Sept. 12, a child forensic interview was conducted regarding a juvenile victim who disclosed that they had been sexually assaulted by Jacob McCumbers, 39.

The victim said they were about six or seven years old when the assaults began, according to the complaint.

The complaint said the assaults occurred for approximately eight to nine years.

According to the complaint, McCumbers said he would hurt the victim if they told anyone about the assaults.

A case against Jacob McCumbers, 39, was filed on Sept. 13 by West Virginia State Police’s South Charleston detachment.

McCumbers is charged with 50 counts of sexual abuse by parent, guardian, or custodian.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2.