Joplin police are investigating a reported rape of a Carthage woman at a Joplin motel and an allegation of sexual abuse of a child.
Cpl. Chuck Niess of the Joplin Police Department said a 28-year-old woman told police that she went to a motel Saturday night and was drinking alcohol with acquaintances. Niess said the woman reportedly passed out in a room of the motel. When she regained consciousness, a male acquaintance who had been in her company allegedly was forcing himself on her sexually.
Niess said the report remained under investigation Thursday without any arrest having been made.
A call by a Joplin day-care worker to the state’s hot line for child abuse and neglect prompted an investigation into possible abuse of a 2-year-old child. Niess said the child told the day-care worker that her father had touched her inappropriately.
Niess said the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services is involved in the case, and an interview of the child has been scheduled with the Children’s Center in Joplin.
