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.