The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Local News

November 14, 2007

Child-welfare records draw interest in Rowan Ford case

By Derek Spellman and Jeff Lehr

news@joplinglobe.com

NEOSHO, Mo. — The Newton County prosecutor has subpoenaed Missouri Department of Social Services records for 9-year-old rape and murder victim Rowan Ford.

Prosecutor Scott Watson said Wednesday that he subpoenaed what records the state’s child-welfare system may have on the girl in light of information he received that child-abuse hot-line calls had been placed to the state regarding the girl before her murder.

“I had three independent sources who indicated there had been prior hot-line calls made,” Watson said.

He said two of the sources said they placed hot-line calls themselves, and the third told of knowledge that the East Newton School District had made such a call. He said none of his sources were school district personnel.

East Newton administrators confirmed this week that the district placed a call concerning the girl. It is not known what the call concerned or what action the state took in response. Rowan attended Triway Elementary School in Stella and was in the fourth grade.

Lyle Sparkman, assistant superintendent, told the Globe on Wednesday that a school district employee placed a call to the state child-abuse hot line regarding the girl before her murder. He said the name of the employee who placed the call and precisely when the call was made are confidential under state law.

“We did fulfill our obligations as mandatory reporters,” Sparkman said.

The Globe made a request Tuesday under the state’s Sunshine Law for all records the Department of Social Services may have on the girl. Most of the department’s records are confidential and not open to the public, but the director of the department can waive confidentiality in cases involving child fatalities or near fatalities.

Watson said he subpoenaed the records Tuesday morning, before the school district had confirmed that a call was placed. He said he had not heard back from the department or received any records by Wednesday afternoon.

“I do not know that anything illegal happened,” Watson told the Globe. “But, I do know people in this area are very concerned with what happened to Rowan Ford. I knew that the rumors and innuendoes would continue until it is known if hot-line calls were made and if appropriate actions were taken.”

Newton County has yet to file criminal charges in the alleged abduction of the girl from her home in Stella. Her rape and murder are being prosecuted in Barry County, where those acts allegedly took place.

Rowan’s stepfather, David Spears, 25, and Chris Collings, 32, of Wheaton, are charged in Barry County with first-degree murder, forcible rape and statutory rape.

Watson said charges remain likely to be filed in Newton County as well. He said he is waiting to receive reports from investigators. He said he is reluctant to file charges too quickly in Newton County because that could result in a lot of transporting of both defendants back and forth between Barry and Newton counties for hearings.

Text Only
Local News
  • r020812cattleprices4.jpg Cattle prices reach record highs as inventories drop to 60-year lows

    Just a few years ago, a 700-pound steer calf brought 60 cents a pound for Jim McCann, a cattleman who lives near Miller. Now, a comparable calf may bring nearly three times that amount, McCann said Tuesday.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • 020812 Joplin ArtsCapitol-3.jpg GALLERY: Missouri Arts Council honors Joplin as Creative Community

    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Joplin’s creativity was heralded in a state award presented Wednesday, but it was the town’s resiliency that earned it a standing ovation from arts supporters and state legislators attending ceremonies at the Capitol.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo 1 Slideshow

  • ‘A creek runs through it’ concept posed for new JHS

    The Joplin Board of Education got its first peek at preliminary architectural renderings for the new Joplin High School at a special meeting Wednesday night. Architects from DLR Group, based in Omaha, Neb., and Corner Greer & Associates, based in Joplin, presented the plans to the board for its blessing to move forward with the design concept.

    February 8, 2012

  • Synthetic pot cited in charge; two girls sick

    An 18-year-old Neosho resident was charged with child endangerment after being accused of supplying two teenage girls with “incense,” or synthetic marijuana, that made them sick enough Tuesday night to require hospital treatment.

    February 8, 2012

  • Judge overrules defense motions in infant death case

    A judge has denied a recent series of motions by Eddie Salazar’s attorney to get statements he made to police suppressed before his trial next month on a charge that he murdered his 8-month-old son two years ago.

    February 8, 2012

  • Kansan describes trips into space during PSU visit

    Everyone had a reason Wednesday afternoon for heading to Yates Hall at Pittsburg State University. Kansas native Steven Hawley was there to make a presentation called “The Engineering, Scientific and Cultural Legacy of the Space Shuttle,” which attempted to fit into 30 minutes 30 years of human space flight and what we have learned from it.

    February 8, 2012

  • Authorities not sure whether gun had any role in death

    An autopsy is scheduled to be performed today on a body discovered inside a mobile home that was destroyed by fire late Tuesday night.

    February 8, 2012

  • MSSU president says governor’s proposal provides some relief

    Bruce Speck, president of Missouri Southern State University, on Wednesday said Gov. Jay Nixon’s plan to restore $40 million of his proposed $106 million cut to higher education would help ease the university’s situation.

    February 8, 2012

  • Mike Pound: Honoring a great lady and a life well lived

    Dorothy Parker’s friends and family will tell you she knew how to live. The transplant from New Iberia, La., took Neosho by storm when she relocated there in 1993. In 1994, Dorothy suggested that the folks at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 305 W. Spring St., put on a Mardi Gras dinner, and she offered to do the bulk of the cooking.

    February 8, 2012

  • Mo. AG candidates objects to birth control order

    Republican attorney general candidate Ed Martin wants Missouri to object to a federal decision requiring church-affiliated employers to cover birth control.

    February 8, 2012

Sports
Facebook
Poll

A Missouri lawmaker has filed legislation that would allow Interstate 70 to be turned into a toll road allowing a private company to fix the interstate in exchange for tolls. Do you think this bill should pass?

Yes.
Nol
     View Results
Opinion
Business
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
NDN Video
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9 Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
House Ads