The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s office filed a felony child abuse charge against a rural Carthage woman who allegedly locked her 4-year-old stepson in a closet for three hours.
Saybra A. Martin (DOB 1996) pleaded not guilty during her arraignment today in Jasper County Circuit Court. A bond review hearing was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday before Judge John Nicholas. Martin is being held on $50,000 bond.
Jasper County deputies were called to Martin’s home by an associate social services specialist with the Jasper County Children’s Division who discovered the boy in the closet while checking on the home.
From the probable cause statement:
Deputies arrived on scene and observed the residence to be in extremely unsanitary condition. Trash was piled both inside and outside the home, and a strong foul odor was detected.
In addition to the victim, deputies located three other children inside the residence, a 10-year-old female, a 3-year-old male, and an 11-month-old female.
Deputies also observed apparent bruising and a cut on the victim’s face and inconsistent explanations were provided regarding the injuries. Due to the nature of the investigation, I was requested to respond.
Upon my arrival, Martin gave me a tour of the residence. I observed miscellaneous trash scattered throughout the home and detected a strong foul odor before entering through the main entrance. In the kitchen, I observed cockroach activity and spoiled food on the floor. Martin then directed me to the closet where the victim had been confined.
The closet was approximately four feet by 10 feet and did not have a door. A child safety gate had been placed across the entrance, and a dresser had been positioned against the gate, preventing the victim from leaving the area without assistance.
Inside the closet, I observed a small toddler portable toilet, two couch cushions on the floor with flies buzzing around them, and a strong odor of urine.
Martin stated she had confined the victim in the closet because of behavioral issues and because he had been hitting his siblings.
Due to the condition of the residence and concerns for the safety of the children, all four children were removed from the home after deputies completed a Missouri Authorization to Provide Alternative Care Form.
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
