Honk News – A father in Missouri is confronting serious allegations of child abuse after reportedly mishandling his 2-month-old daughter, resulting in 14 fractures across her body, according to law enforcement officials.
On Wednesday, authorities took 20-year-old Richard A. Leonard into custody in Lee’s Summit. The arrest affidavit outlines that Leonard and his spouse brought the girl to a doctor’s visit, where they were advised to take the infant to the hospital due to bruising observed on her body.
However, the couple declined to accept her, prompting the doctor to contact the Department of Family Services hotline to report the situation.
Authorities arrived at the residence of the couple in Lee’s Summit, a Kansas City suburb, to conduct a welfare check on the girl. Authorities report that the mother cradled her seemingly happy child while responding to the door. At approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Leonard and his wife transported the girl to the hospital. Medical professionals have allegedly discovered 14 fractures across her arms, legs, ribs, and fingers. Her shoulder, face, and back were marked with bruises.
Initially, Leonard stated that he let go of the girl due to a stumble. Faced with the severity of the injuries, he subsequently claimed that he fell on her after losing his footing, according to the affidavit.
Authorities reported that medical professionals indicated this could clarify certain injuries; however, it does not account for all, as they were present across the body and exhibited different stages of healing. According to detectives, medical personnel characterized the injuries as indicative of “classic abuse” rather than accidental occurrences.
A woman informed the authorities that she and Leonard began their relationship in November 2023, tied the knot in May, and welcomed their daughter in October. She believed Leonard was not “capable” of causing harm to the child, yet she was aware that she had not harmed her in any way.
The mother also mentioned that Leonard experienced abuse during his childhood and was placed in foster care. Investigators subsequently questioned Leonard, who reportedly confessed to mistreating the girl, referred to in court documents as V1.
“The lack of sleep, constant crying during diaper changes and his own anger issues had become a problem resulting in abuse of V1,” cops wrote. “The abuse came in the form of being too forceful during dressing, swaddling, and diaper changes.
He described how her hands would become entangled while getting dressed and how she would struggle and wriggle during diaper changes and swaddling.
Leonard allegedly acknowledged employing “more force than necessary” during those actions and “instantly felt remorse when she responded as expected.” He mentioned that during his childhood abuse, he would pull out his hair as a coping mechanism for stress, and he has unfortunately reverted to that behavior recently, according to the affidavit.
Leonard expressed that the pressure was mounting and that “there was just too much happening simultaneously,” according to the affidavit. The couple had recently relocated to a new residence, which contributed to his stress levels.
“The part that made him the most upset is the fact that V1 would always scream when he tried to hold her,” cops wrote.
Authorities apprehended Leonard and transported him to the Jackson County Correctional Facility, where he has now secured his release by posting a $50,000 bond. A court appearance is set for him on Monday. A judge has mandated that he refrain from any contact with his wife or child while he is released on bond.
The girl is now in the custody of DFS, according to police reports.