Honk News – Three individuals in Missouri are facing serious charges this Christmas after a 4-year-old girl in their care was discovered unconscious and severely malnourished.
Three individuals are –
- James Calhoun Lamb, 29.
- Derrick Eugene Barnby, 25.
- Aireal Cole, 23.
They are facing charges related to child abuse or neglect. All three suspects reside in the same house.
Authorities in Kirksville, a small town in north-central Missouri, initiated an investigation on December 11 after a girl was urgently taken to the hospital and subsequently airlifted to a facility in St. Louis, approximately 200 miles away, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit.
Medical professionals observed that the girl had several bruises, bleeding in the brain, and an unusual mental state. Medical professionals found that she was “significantly underweight” and had multiple cavities in her teeth, indicating signs of neglect, according to the affidavit. Lamb reportedly attributed the injuries to a fall down the stairs a few days earlier, but that explanation raised doubts among the doctors who wrote a report on the girl.
“The report went on to say stair falls do not usually cause major head trauma and it would be unusual for the brain injury to take over a week to develop,” cops wrote. “Stair falls do not usually cause extensive bruising like she had and the torso bruising is concerning for abuse.”
Lamb allegedly stated that following the girl’s fall, he contacted his mother, a “medical professional,” who advised him to manage the girl’s pain with Tylenol and Motrin. In a subsequent interview following Miranda, Lamb stated that he “had anger issues, but he was angry at himself for being a failure and never directed his anger towards anyone else,” as noted in the affidavit.
Lamb offered no further details regarding the girl’s injuries other than stating she fell down the stairs. Authorities determined he poses a danger to the child.
“She has suffered a multitude of severe and life-threatening issues while under his care,” the affidavit said. “Furthermore, she suffers from severe malnutrition and severely decayed teeth which is from being neglected and not properly cared for.”
Officials took a 1-year-old child from the residence due to “severe diaper rash that was consistent with neglect,” as stated in the court document. Authorities claimed that Barnby and Cole were responsible for the care of both kids and did not fulfill that responsibility.
The three defendants are currently held at the Adair County Jail with no bond available. A court date is set for Friday.