The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Authorities in Missouri responded to an incident involving a juvenile who claimed to have fled from an abusive home situation.
The case began when neighbors in the area notified law enforcement after observing a child outside who was acting in a distressed manner. The people who called reported that the youth appeared to hide whenever vehicles passed through the area, which made them worry that something might be wrong. Deputies were dispatched to the location to investigate and assess the situation.
When they arrived, the deputies located the juvenile and began asking questions to determine what had taken place. The child reportedly explained that the most recent incident had occurred shortly before they ran away. According to the juvenile, a caregiver punished them by striking them on the arm with a cord, and the pain allegedly caused them to leave the residence. The youngster, who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, pulled up their sleeve and showed the injuries to the authorities.
Deputies documented marks and swelling on the child’s left arm and hand. Some areas appeared to show older injuries, including scarring, which the child claimed came from earlier incidents. The juvenile also stated that food had been withheld for extended periods as a form of punishment, explaining that the deprivation had occurred on multiple occasions and lasted several days at a time.
Based on the allegations and the deputies’ observations, an adult was taken into custody and booked into the Boone County Jail. According to facility records, the individual is facing preliminary charges of one count of felony endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree and one count of felony domestic assault in the third degree. At the time this information was recorded, the suspect was being held without bond, and a court date was scheduled for January 13.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a domestic violence offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.