The Shadow
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, VA – On April 19, 2025, the Office of the Sheriff for Rockbridge County and Lexington City received a call for service in the Vesuvius area of Rockbridge County regarding the possible abuse of two infants by their father. Deputies immediately responded and initiated an investigation.
During the course of the investigation, Sheriff’s Investigators recovered video evidence showing the father carrying one of the infants by the head, with the child’s full body weight supported by the head and neck. The video also captured the father striking the infant on the back five to six times with sufficient force to produce a clearly audible sound.
Both infants were evaluated and treated at Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital and were subsequently transferred to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for forensic examinations.
Treveion St. Clair-Helm, 22, of Buena Vista, Virginia, was originally arrested and charged with two counts of Child Abuse and Neglect (Class 6 Felony). The Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services removed both infants from the home and placed them in foster care. On February 17, 2026, after the Commonwealth’s Attorney previously upgraded the charges, St. Clair-Helm pleaded guilty in Rockbridge County Circuit Court to two counts of Child Abuse and Neglect (Class 4 Felony). The Commonwealth’s Attorney provided the following information with its stipulation of evidence to the court:
The forensic examinations determined that both infants had the following injuries:
Infant #1:
• Bruising to the ears, face, torso, abdomen, back, and legs
• Petechiae-burst blood vessels on the head and face causing red dots on the skin, indicative of strangulation
• Hemorrhaging in the right eye, indicative of strangulation
• Breaks to both upper and lower lips, indicative of blunt force trauma to the mouth
Infant #2:
• Previously torn and healed upper Frenulum-consistent with blunt force trauma
• Had a healing, nondisplaced distal right ulna fracture
In addition to the above, an expert would have testified that all the injuries on these boys would have been inflicted upon them as neither was old enough for movement, including rolling over, which could have caused self-inflicted injury. St. Clair-Helm was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 16 years suspended.
Sheriff Tony McFaddin stated, “These were defenseless children who relied on the adults around them for protection and care. I am proud of the work our deputies and investigators did to ensure this case was thoroughly investigated and presented for prosecution. Child abuse has no place in our community, and we will continue to act swiftly and decisively to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
Both children remain with their foster family and are expected to make a full recovery without long-term physical injuries. The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to the reporting party, Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockbridge County and Lexington City, and the Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services for their assistance and cooperation throughout this investigation
