A West Virginia man has been sentenced to decades in prison after admitting that he brutally attacked his estranged girlfriend during what was supposed to be a routine child custody exchange, leaving her unconscious in a wooded area after believing he had killed her.
Logan Willis, 22, received a total sentence of 36 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder, malicious assault, and domestic battery, according to authorities.
The sentence was announced this week following the attack that occurred on June 9, 2025, in Jackson County, West Virginia.
Custody Exchange Turned Into Violent Attack
According to Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger, Willis and his estranged girlfriend had arranged to meet to exchange custody of their young child.
The woman reportedly got into Willis’ vehicle believing the two were going to a nearby Walmart to purchase supplies their child would need during the upcoming weekend.
Sheriff Mellinger later said investigators believe Willis never intended to go shopping and instead planned the violent assault.
Victim Taken to Remote Area
Rather than driving to Walmart, authorities said Willis drove to a remote area of Jackson County.
Investigators allege he attacked the woman inside his vehicle before dragging her into nearby woods.
According to Sheriff Mellinger, Willis then left the scene believing the woman had died.
Authorities said the attack was carried out without any weapon and involved an extended physical assault.
Sheriff: Defendant Believed He Had Killed Her
Sheriff Mellinger described the assault as extremely violent.
According to the sheriff, Willis later admitted that he beat the woman until she stopped breathing.
Investigators said Willis then dragged her into the woods in an apparent attempt to conceal what he believed was her body before driving away.
The sheriff stated that Willis left the scene believing he had murdered the victim.
911 Call Leads Authorities to Crime Scene
After leaving the wooded area, Willis reportedly drove to a nearby gas station.
According to deputies, he called 911 and told dispatchers that he believed he had killed his girlfriend.
Authorities said the couple’s young child was with Willis when he made the emergency call.
Deputies immediately began searching for the victim.
Victim Found Alive
Despite the severity of the assault, investigators found the woman alive.
Deputies reportedly located her by following a trail of blood leading into the wooded area.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim had suffered numerous severe injuries consistent with what investigators described as a life-altering beating.
She was transported for emergency medical treatment.
Victim Was Pregnant
Authorities said the woman was in the late stages of pregnancy when deputies found her.
Officials have not publicly disclosed whether the unborn child survived.
No additional information regarding the pregnancy has been released.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Willis later pleaded guilty to:
- Attempted murder
- Malicious assault
- Domestic battery
This week, a judge sentenced him to a combined 36 years in prison.
Before sentencing, the victim addressed the court by delivering an impact statement describing the lasting effects of the attack.
Investigation Concluded
Authorities said the case began as what appeared to be a routine custody exchange but instead became a planned and violent assault.
Investigators credited Willis’ 911 call and the rapid response by deputies with helping locate the victim before it was too late.
Willis will now serve his sentence in the West Virginia prison system following his guilty pleas to the charges stemming from the June 2025 attack.
