CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The West Virginia Supreme Court has appointed a special prosecutor in child abuse allegations against Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants.
The court on Friday said that retired McDowell County prosecutor Sidney Bell will serve as the prosecutor in this case.
The Charleston Daily Mail reports (https://bit.ly/1d2Ej6H) that the move follows a recent order disqualifying the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.
West Virginia State Police are investigating claims by Plants’ former wife that he used excessive discipline on one of their two sons.
Mark Plants has said he and his ex-wife had an agreement that spanking their children was an appropriate form of discipline. He says the allegation is politically motivated.
The Plants were divorced in 2012. Mark Plants remarried in December.
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