SARCOXIE, Mo. — On April 15, 2023 at approximately 8 p.m., Jasper County Deputies were called to the area of 2536 CR 20 in Sarcoxie Mo., in reference to a missing 7 year old child. It was determined that an Amber Alert would be issued due to the child being endangered by being taken by an individual who the mother only knew as “Matt.” According to the mother, they were supposed to have been gone for a short time, but after being missing for more than three hours authorities were contacted.
Shortly after the Amber Alert was sent out, the vehicle was observed by a citizen in Oklahoma heading into Missouri on I-44. The Joplin Police Department stopped the vehicle in Missouri near mile marker 4. The male driver was arrested and identified as Matthew W. Honeycutt, 23, of Neosho, Mo. Honeycutt was transported to the Jasper County Detention Center in Carthage, Mo., charges were submitted on Honeycutt for Kidnapping and a bond of $250,000 was issued. He remains in custody at this time.
During the investigation, more information was obtained and on April 18 2023, the mother of the child, Amber S. Turner, 38, of Sarcoxie, Mo., was taken into custody and transported to the Jasper County Detention Center and charges have been submitted to the prosecutor’s office for felony endangering the welfare of a child.
This is an ongoing investigation and more charges may arise as the investigation continues.