A Sarcoxie man pleaded guilty Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court to a reduced charge in a child-abuse case.
Larry C. Gates, 34, pleaded guilty to felony child endangerment in a plea deal with the Jasper County prosecutor’s office that would limit the prison time he might be required to serve to no more than four years. The defendant initially was charged with Class C felony child abuse, which carries up to seven years in prison.
Circuit Judge David Dally delayed formal action on the plea deal and ordered the completion of a sentencing-assessment report. The judge set Gates’ sentencing hearing for Sept. 24.
Acting on a child-abuse tip, a Missouri Department of Social Services investigator entered the family’s home in Sarcoxie on March 9 and observed multiple bruises on a baby’s head and body. The infant was taken to Freeman Hospital West in Joplin for a medical evaluation that concluded the bruises and scrape marks were the result of abuse, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
The affidavit alleges that both parents were involved in the abuse and admitted smoking methamphetamine in the presence of the child.
Crime & Courts
Sarcoxie man pleads guilty in abuse case
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Firefighters douse blaze inside wall; no injuries cited
The Joplin Fire Department used thermal-imaging equipment Wednesday night to detect a hidden fire inside a residence.
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Exeter resident hurt in accident in Barry County
An Exeter resident was injured in a single-vehicle accident at 2:15 p.m. Thursday on Missouri Highway 76, two miles west of Exeter in Barry County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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Pittsburg couple arrested; children taken out of home
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A Pittsburg couple was arrested and their three children removed from their care Wednesday when narcotics officers allegedly seized marijuana, methamphetamine and other items in a search of their home.
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Joplin man arrested on felony charge of past sexual abuse
A 16-year-old girl’s recent disclosures to her mother regarding past sexual abuse has led to the arrest and charging of a Joplin man.
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Identity-theft victim jailed on culprit’s warrant
Kurt Millard spent most of last weekend in the Jasper County Jail, locked up on another man’s arrest warrant. The 26-year-old Joplin resident could not convince his jailers they had the wrong guy. “I got the run-around the whole weekend,” Millard told the Globe. “I didn’t even get to wish my mother a happy Mother’s Day.”
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Attorney general files suit against California contractor
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Pierce City man hurt in accident in Barry County
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Woman to stand trial on felony count of child abuse
A rural Joplin woman waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on a felony count of child abuse related to the alleged bruising of her 12-year-old daughter’s buttocks and arms.
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Fire destroys garage, two vehicles inside
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — A Tuesday night fire that destroyed a garage and two vehicles at an address south of Carl Junction may have had an electrical cause.
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Worker hit in head with saw blade at construction site
A worker at a construction site in Webb City suffered a severe injury Wednesday when he was struck in the head by a blade from a power saw.
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