Child in critical condition leads to felony child abuse charges
December 10, 2020
Dessa Barton
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W. Dalton McLendon
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Katherine Kost
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Richard A. Hilliker
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Detectives with the Stone County Sheriff’s Office recently concluded a month-long investigation that stemmed from a 911 call made to Stone County Central Dispatch on November 6, 2020.
Medical personnel and law enforcement officials responded to 5119 State Highway K, Billings, Stone County, Missouri, in reference to a four-year-old male who was unresponsive.
The victim was transported by ambulance to Cox South Hospital and later air-lifted to Kansas City in critical condition. Medical personnel advised detectives that the victim suffered various injuries that were consistent with physical abuse. The primary concern, however, was extreme malnutrition.
Detectives returned to the residence on November 25, 2020, to recover a wooden crate constructed of pallets. The investigation led detectives to believe the crate was used to cage the victim for extended periods of time.
The following persons who resided at the residence have been arrested and formally charged:
26-year-old Dessa A Barton was charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child - 1st Degree - Serious Physical Injury, and Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child - Serious Emotional Or Physical Injury with a combined bond of $50,000 cash or surety.
26-year-old W Dalton McLendon was charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child - 1st Degree - Serious Physical Injury, and Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child - Serious Emotional Or Physical Injury with a combined bond of $50,000 cash or surety.
53-year-old Katherine Kost was charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child - 1st Degree - Serious Physical Injury, and Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child - Serious Emotional Or Physical Injury with a combined bond of $50,000 cash or surety.
52-year-old Richard A Hilliker was charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child - 1st Degree - Serious Physical Injury, and Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child - Serious Emotional Or Physical Injury with a combined bond of $50,000 cash or surety.
All four are currently being held in the Stone County Jail.
Preliminary hearings for Hilliker, Kost, Barton and Mclendon are set for December 22 at 1:pm. at the Stone County Judicial Center, Galena with Judge Blankenship presiding.
Medical personnel and law enforcement officials responded to 5119 State Highway K, Billings, Stone County, Missouri, in reference to a four-year-old male who was unresponsive.
The victim was transported by ambulance to Cox South Hospital and later air-lifted to Kansas City in critical condition. Medical personnel advised detectives that the victim suffered various injuries that were consistent with physical abuse. The primary concern, however, was extreme malnutrition.
Detectives returned to the residence on November 25, 2020, to recover a wooden crate constructed of pallets. The investigation led detectives to believe the crate was used to cage the victim for extended periods of time.
The following persons who resided at the residence have been arrested and formally charged:
26-year-old Dessa A Barton was charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child - 1st Degree - Serious Physical Injury, and Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child - Serious Emotional Or Physical Injury with a combined bond of $50,000 cash or surety.
26-year-old W Dalton McLendon was charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child - 1st Degree - Serious Physical Injury, and Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child - Serious Emotional Or Physical Injury with a combined bond of $50,000 cash or surety.
53-year-old Katherine Kost was charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child - 1st Degree - Serious Physical Injury, and Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child - Serious Emotional Or Physical Injury with a combined bond of $50,000 cash or surety.
52-year-old Richard A Hilliker was charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child - 1st Degree - Serious Physical Injury, and Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child - Serious Emotional Or Physical Injury with a combined bond of $50,000 cash or surety.
All four are currently being held in the Stone County Jail.
Preliminary hearings for Hilliker, Kost, Barton and Mclendon are set for December 22 at 1:pm. at the Stone County Judicial Center, Galena with Judge Blankenship presiding.