The owner of Rhythm & Motion Dance Studio, a downtown Parkersburg institution that has trained local children for more than a decade, faces multiple felony charges after prosecutors allege she systematically diverted tuition payments to personal accounts over an extended period.
The Parkersburg Police Department launched its investigation in January following complaints from parents who reported irregularities in billing and concerns that prepaid funds had disappeared. According to a criminal complaint filed in Wood County Magistrate Court, the owner—whose name authorities have withheld pending formal arraignment—allegedly redirected auto-debit tuition payments and cash deposits intended for student accounts into personal banking channels.
The exact amount of the alleged misappropriation remains under seal, though a detective familiar with the case described the figure as "substantial" and confirmed it spans "multiple years" of studio operations. If convicted on the current charges, which include grand larceny and fraud, the owner could face up to 10 years in prison under West Virginia state statute, plus restitution orders and fines.
Studio Closure Leaves Families in Limbo
Rhythm & Motion, which offered classes in ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and competitive dance, closed its doors abruptly in late February. The studio's website and social media accounts have been deactivated, and its phone number has been disconnected.
The closure has disrupted training for an estimated 80 to 120 students, based on enrollment figures parents shared with The Parkersburg Weekly. Several families reported paying between $800 and $1,500 in annual tuition, with additional charges for competition fees, costumes, and summer intensive programs.
"We paid $1,340 in December for our daughter's spring competition season and nationals deposit," said Elena Voss, who requested her daughter's first name be withheld. "The charge cleared. Then in February, the studio email bounced back, the phone was dead, and we found out from another parent that the doors were locked. We've received no communication, no refund process—nothing."
Another parent, Marcus Chen, said his family discovered the closure when they arrived for his son's hip hop class to find a handwritten note taped to the glass: "Classes suspended until further notice."
What We Know—and What Remains Unclear
The owner's identity: The Parkersburg Police Department has not publicly named the owner, citing an internal policy against releasing identities before arraignment in non-violent financial crimes. However, West Virginia Secretary of State business filings list Margaret Ann Holt, 47, as the registered agent and sole proprietor of Rhythm & Motion LLC, incorporated in 2012. Holt could not be reached for comment; no attorney of record had been listed in court filings as of press time.
The financial mechanics: Parents described a payment structure that mixed monthly auto-debits through a third-party processor, cash payments for costume purchases, and Venmo transfers for private lessons. This fragmented system, several parents noted, made irregularities difficult to detect immediately. Detectives have subpoenaed records from at least two payment platforms, according to the criminal complaint.
The scope of losses: Authorities have not confirmed how many families may have lost money or whether the alleged diversion affected studio employees, who were reportedly paid as independent contractors.
Community Scrambles to Fill the Void
The collapse of Rhythm & Motion has sent shockwaves through Parkersburg's tight-knit dance community, where the studio occupied a prominent role in recitals, regional competitions, and the annual Downtown Arts Festival.
Several rival studios have stepped in with offers of reduced-rate or free transitional classes. Studio 304 in Vienna announced it would honor remaining Rhythm & Motion class cards through March, while Allegro Dance Center in Marietta has opened its competitive team practices to displaced students. A private Facebook group, "Rhythm & Motion Families," has grown to 94 members as parents share information and document losses.
No organized legal assistance or crowdfunding campaign had materialized as of March 15, though multiple parents told The Parkersburg Weekly they were exploring small claims court filings and had contacted the West Virginia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
Practical Guidance for Affected Families
Families who prepaid for classes, competitions, or merchandise should consider the following steps:
- Document all payments: Gather bank statements, Venmo or PayPal records, cancelled checks, and any written agreements or email confirmations.
- File a complaint: The West Virginia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division accepts complaints online at ago.wv.gov or by phone at 1-800-368-8808.
- Contact the investigating officer: Detective Sarah Whitfield is handling victim intake for the Parkersburg Police Department at (304) 424-8444.
- Consider small claims court: For losses under $5,000, Wood County Magistrate Court offers a streamlined process; filing fees run $30 to $100.
- Monitor credit reports: Parents who provided Social Security numbers or other
