A local couple is facing charges of child abuse and neglect after allegedly leaving a nine-year-old child with disabilities locked in a home alone.
According to Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, 33-year-old David Ferrell and 21-year-old Kayla Raymond of Smithville are each under a $5,000 bond and appeared in court on March 13.
Chief Collins reported that on February 24, officers responded to a residence on West Broad Street in reference to a welfare check on a child. Upon arrival, officers found a nine-year-old boy with a disability locked inside the home alone. The child was unable to reach the lock to open the door, and officers gained entry through a window. They were eventually able to make contact with the child’s father, Ferrell, by phone.
Detectives interviewed Ferrell and his girlfriend, Raymond, and determined that the couple had left the child alone for about two hours, which was allegedly a common practice. Both Ferrell and Raymond were placed in custody, while the child was placed with the Department of Children Services.
On March 5, 45-year-old Anthony Atnip of Smithville was arrested for sexual battery. He is under a $1,500 bond and was in court on March 20.
According to Chief Collins, police detectives began an investigation of Atnip regarding an alleged sexual assault on a juvenile. During the course of the investigation, detectives concluded that Atnip had committed sexual battery on a juvenile in the city limits of Smithville.
On February 24, 42-year-old Gregory Sims of Smithville was arrested for DUI and resisting arrest. He was also cited for failure to maintain lane of travel, violation of implied consent, driving on a suspended drivers’ license, and improper display of plates. He is under a $5,000 bond and was in court on March 13.
Chief Collins said that an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on East Broad Street for failure to maintain lane of travel. While speaking with the driver, Sims, the officer noticed that he displayed indicators of impairment.
Sims submitted to but performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks. At the hospital, during a blood draw, Sims refused to cooperate with officers. They had to physically escort him from the hospital.
On March 8, 46-year-old Christina Wood of Buffalo Valley was arrested for public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and three counts of assault on a first responder. Her bond is $16,000 and she was in court on March 20.
Chief Collins reported that an officer stopped a motorcycle on East Broad Street for speeding. As the officer approached the motorcycle, Wood, a passenger, got off the motorcycle without being asked and informed the officer that she was drunk and had just left the strip club.
During the stop, police allege that Wood became irate and belligerent, then followed the officer back to his patrol car. The officer asked her to return to the bike a couple of times, then, after another officer arrived, Wood again became irate.
When officers advised Wood she was under arrest, and attempted to handcuff her, she began kicking and fighting with the officers. Due to her unruly behavior, officers and Wood fell to the ground as police tried to gain control. Wood was eventually placed in custody.
On March 16, 51-year-old Mariano Reyes of Smithville was arrested for DUI second offense.
Chief Collins reported that officers responded to an incident on Carter Street involving two vehicles. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Reyes who was operating one of the vehicles and noticed that he showed indicators of impairment.
Reyes allegedly admitted to having been drinking and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Reyes was placed in custody. His bond is $3,500 and he is due in court on April 3.
On March 22, 22-year-old Jacob Brown of Smithville was arrested for domestic assault and public intoxication. He is under a $5,000 bond and due in court on April 3.
Chief Collins reported that officers responded to Highland Drive in reference to a domestic in progress. Upon arrival, officers found Brown outside, and say he displayed signs of impairment.
Brown allegedly became belligerent and uncooperative as they were trying to investigate the incident. Officers found physical evidence of an assault and determined Brown to be the primary aggressor.
