(Missouri Independent) – Despite dozens of students coming forward sharing allegations of abuse they suffered at Christian reform schools across Missouri, the state Department of Social Services said Monday that they have no oversight over such facilities. That’s because they’re unlicensed — and allowed to be under a Missouri law that exempts facilities operated by religious organizations. […]
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Missourians in the Southeast region of the state overcame these obstacles to ensure 418 children and youth have a forever family to call their own – an increase of 57 additional adoptions from last year’s numbers. The region as a whole and seven individual counties – Dunklin, Howell, Iron, New Madrid, […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that his office has filed 24 criminal charges and civil action against unlicensed dog breeder Marlisa McAlmond of Cedar Ridge Australians, located in Oregon County. A criminal complaint, filed Wednesday afternoon, details the 24 criminal charges filed against McAlmond, which includes 21 counts of animal abuse, two counts of […]
A change of venue has been granted for a Kirksville woman charged with murder—first degree after a child death investigation in May. Online court information shows 28-year-old Makuya Stephanie Kambamba’s case was transferred from Sullivan County to Harrison County. A plea or trial setting is scheduled for November 19th. Kambamba has also been charged with […]
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for video recording his sexual abuse of a 15-year-old victim. Daren Watts, 28, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Watts will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison […]
Two Chillicothe residents have been charged in Livingston County with felony animal abuse—second or subsequent offense or by torture and/or mutilation while the animal was alive. An initial court appearance for 43-year-old Larry Coffman and 37-year-old Cailin Dixon is scheduled for December 9th. Probable cause statements from Bradley Aldrich with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office […]
A Gallatin teen has been charged in Daviess County with the felonies of statutory sodomy or attempted sodomy, deviate sexual intercourse, with a person less than 12 years of age, and child molestation, second degree. Online court information shows 17-year-old Joshua Reuben Schmidt’s bond is $5,000 cash only with supervision by Supervision Services. He is […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that on October 15, 2020, Tashe Beach pled guilty in the Circuit Court of St. Louis City to two class D felonies of Abuse of a Person Receiving Health Care, one Class C felony of Financial Exploitation of Elderly Persons, one Class D felony of Financial Exploitation of Elderly […]
A nurse at Daviess County Nursing and Rehab in Gallatin accused of stealing drugs from the facility faces multiple charges. Twenty-seven-year-old Allison Deann Derwinis of Bethany has been charged, between three cases, with two counts of felony stealing—controlled substance, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one count each of forgery and harassment. […]
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on an animal abuse investigation in Wheeling. Sheriff Steve Cox reports his office responded to the 300 block of North Sheridan in Wheeling the afternoon of Tuesday, October 13th regarding a resident’s pet Labrador being shot. He says the complainant reported taking the dog outside that morning […]
Attorney General Schmitt announced an update to a global settlement framework agreement between state attorneys general, local subdivisions, and the opioid manufacturer Mallinckrodt (MNK), its subsidiaries, and certain other affiliates. Under the new settlement, MNK will pay $1.6 billion into a trust as described below. MNK is currently the largest generic opioid manufacturer in the […]
Authorities report a Trenton man is being held in jail without bond regarding allegations of sexual contact with an underage person. The charge is listed as sexual abuse in the first degree. Thirty-six-year-old Juan Gallegos was arrested Thursday and is to appear next Tuesday in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court. Gallegos, according […]
After schools closed in the spring to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline calls quickly fell by about 50%. The dramatic shift was identified nationwide – not just in Missouri. Mandated reporters, at schools, daycares, and churches, were not seeing kids in person like they normally do because many […]
It is almost harvest time on the Gottman farms in rural northeastern Missouri. Trees blushed with shades of scarlet, saffron, and sage edge mouse-brown soybean fields. The air is crisp; the sky a palette of blues. From the combine cab, Tim Gottman will remember his gentle-hearted son’s birthday on Sept. 27. Toby would have been […]
A Denver, Missouri man has been charged in Worth County with the felonies of murder—second degree and abandonment of a corpse in the death of a missing Grant City woman found earlier this week. Thirty-nine-year-old Jeremiah Searles is scheduled for an initial arraignment Monday, September 21st. Worth County Prosecuting Attorney Janet Wake Larison previously reported […]
Missouri’s junior senator is urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the mental health needs of Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) has written a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, calling on the agency to deploy more of the $425 million that Congress appropriated to […]
A former emergency medical technician at Mercy Medical Center pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing fentanyl and hydromorphone from dozens of vials used by ambulances in Carthage and Mount Vernon, Missouri, and replacing the drugs with saline or water solution. “A former paramedic abused his position of trust by stealing and diluting drugs that […]
State Auditor Nicole Galloway released an audit of the City of Center that detailed how the former clerk, Tracey Ray, misappropriated more than $300,000 in taxpayer funds. The audit, which focused on the period between January 2015 and July 2019, was performed by the Auditor’s Public Corruption and Fraud Division after information was received through […]
The Worth County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces a missing person investigation has come to a close. Prosecuting Attorney Janet Wake Larison reports that the Worth County Sheriff’s Office received a tip of the location of the deceased, Melissa Lynn Chapman, the evening of Monday, September 14th. An ongoing homicide investigation continues. Law enforcement assisting includes […]
A Chariton County man was sentenced to 72 years in prison for multiple counts of sodomy, child molestation, and sexual misconduct. This case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office and the Chariton County Prosecuting Attorney. “This case is another great example of the important work that our Public Safety attorneys do on a daily […]
