March 15th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The Cumberland Times News reports felony assault and child abuse charges against a Cumberland couple have been forwarded to Allegany County Circuit Court following proceedings Friday in district court. Cheryl Denise Pilcher, 57, and Harold Franklin Pilcher Jr., 56, were charged following their arrests Feb. 16 and 17 at their Michigan Avenue residence by the Cumberland Police Department. Judge H. Jack Price Jr. found probable cause to forward the charges of Cheryl Pilcher to circuit court.
Following the conclusion of Cheryl Pilcher’s hearing, a preliminary hearing began for Harold Pilcher, but he opted to waive the hearing, forwarding the case to circuit court.
Harold Pilcher was represented by Cumberland attorney Kelly A. Clark. Kelty represented the state.
The couple’s five children, ages 10 through 17, were removed from the residence at the time of Cheryl Pilcher’s Feb. 16 arrest. They were taken to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center for medical treatment and evaluation.
At least two of the victims displayed visible evidence of being struck repeatedly with a large wooden board, according to court documents.
The board was seized as evidence.
Two of the children told police they were struck repeatedly by their mother after she became upset over dog feces found in her bedroom, according to the documents.
One of the female victims told investigators she was struck 48 times with the board wielded by Cheryl Pilcher. Another female victim said she had been struck 11 times by Cheryl Pilcher, according to court documents.
The arrests were made after the couple’s 14-year-old son told his basketball coach that he and his siblings were being abused by their parents.
An ensuing investigation and arrests by Cumberland Police included assistance by the Department of Social Services.
Following Friday’s hearings, Cheryl and Harold Pilcher remained free on $25,000 bonds.
Court documents indicated that Harold Pilcher is the head pastor of a church and a social worker with the Department of Juvenile Services in West Virginia.