A lawsuit has been filed following the death of a ten-year-old Kanawha County boy, naming the West Virginia Department of Human Services, three employees, and the Kanawha County Board of Education.
The suit stems from the 2023 killing of Richie Hancock, who was allegedly stabbed by Nicholas Hanshaw, who is also accused of killing his mother, Sherry Russell. Hanshaw now faces two counts of first-degree murder.
The child’s mother claims state child welfare officials had known for years about repeated domestic violence, substance abuse, and prior CPS investigations involving Hanshaw, but failed to intervene.
The lawsuit seeks damages, attorney fees, and expenses.