Rule 4a.  Venue.

Pursuant to W.Va. Code § 49-4-601(a), the Department or a reputable person may file a petition to initiate a child abuse and neglect proceeding in the circuit court in the county where the child resides. If the Department is a petitioner, the petition may also be filed where the alleged abuse and/or neglect occurred, where the custodial respondent or one of the other respondents resides, or to the judge of the court in vacation. Under no circumstances may a party file a petition in more than one county based on the same set of facts.