Missouri
Audit: Missouri Sheriff’s Office made ‘questionable’ buys of TVs, hams, beer, cigarettes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – An audit found a Missouri Sheriff’s Office may have misused thousands of dollars in taxpayer money when it bought 15 TVs, dozens of hams, beer, cigarettes, and other items.
The Missouri State Auditor reviewed financial records belonging to the Ray County Sheriff’s Office and says it discovered several oversight issues.
It points to nearly $3,000 in missing funds and more than $5,500 in questionable purchases made by the sheriff’s office in 2020.
In addition to the TVs, food, and beer, the audit determined the sheriff’s office also bought scented oil air fresheners, soda, energy drinks, personal grooming tools, barbeque seasoning rubs, lotion, skin cleaners, and other beauty items that were not included on commissary inventory lists. The audit also found office employees bought game cameras, a GPS unit, CD player, and speakers, according to the audit.
ALSO READ: Former school teacher denied bond reduction in murder charges of stepson
While some of the items bought may be appropriate, the auditor said the office did not save, or submit, documentation to show why the items were purchased. It also said the Sheriff’s office did not retain receipts, invoices, and other supporting documentation for most purchases made from the commissary account.
The audit calls for the sheriff’s office to put checks and other procedures into place to account for all purchases. It also found the Ray County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office needs to take steps to ensure money is accounted for going forward.
While the audit determined that the questionable spending took place during former Sheriff Garry E. Bush’s term from 2018 to 2020, Sheriff Scott Childers also needs to imperilment oversight in the department, according to the auditor.
During Bush’s term, the audit found that office personnel did not turn over $2,549 in conceal carry permit fees and $443 in sex offender registration fees to the County Commission. The audit shows that money is now missing.
ALSO READ: Nationwide emergency alert to hit cell phones, TV, radio this week
Because of the turnover in the office the auditor could not determine who may have taken, or misused, the money.
The audit also pointed out that the sheriff’s office did not ensure bills were paid on time and had to pay more than $400 in late fees on credit cards in 2020, as well as overdraft fees in 2021.
Current Ray County Sheriff Childers responded to the audit. He wrote that the office implemented a plan to ensure all adjustments made to inmates’ commissary accounts are properly reported.
ALSO READ: Kansas City-area schools to split millions in Missouri safety grants
Sheriff Childers also said the office agrees that documentation is needed when items are purchased through the office’s account. Childers said that his administration has not made any questionable or unnecessary purchases and he plans to continue to prohibit any new requests that fall into those categories.
The full audit can be found on the Missouri State Auditor’s website.
Copyright 2023 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Missouri
Kidnapped child from Missouri, subject of Amber Alert, rescued Thursday in Wabaunsee County
ALMA, Kan. (WIBW) – A woman was taken into custody Thursday after a kidnapped child from Missouri who was the subject of an Amber Alert was rescued in Wabaunsee County, authorities said.
The rescue was reported to have occurred at 8:17 p.m. Thursday at the E. Spring Creek Road on-ramp to westbound Interstate 70 near Paxico in Wabaunsee County.
Authorities said an Amber Alert had been issued by the Missouri State Highway Patrol after a 12-year-old child was reported to have been kidnapped from Warsaw, Mo.
The child was reported to have been taken without permission by the non-custodial biological mother, officials said.
Wabaunsee County sheriff’s units, were joined by Alma City Marshal Mike Baker as they located the suspect vehicle.
The child was located unharmed. Authorities then took the child into police protective custody.
A woman identified as Anna Savard, 36, of Boise, Idaho, was taken into custody by Wabaunsee County sheriff’s deputies without further incident. Officials on Friday said Savard was being held in the Wabaunsee County Jail in Alma pending extradition warrants from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri.
Also assisting were the Kansas Highway Patrol; Missouri Highway Patrol; Kansas Juvenile Intake; Warsaw, Mo., Police Department; and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri, officials said.
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Missouri
AMBER ALERT CANCELED: Missouri Highway Patrol locates 12-year-old girl from Warsaw, Mo.
WARSAW, Mo. (KY3) — The Missouri Highway Patrol located a 12-year-old Warsaw girl authorities believed was with her non-custodial mother.
Bridgette Annaleise Crane disappeared from the area around the 2800 block of Cedar Hills Loop in Warsaw around 4:30 p.m. Investigators believed she was with her mother, Anna Savard, 36.
Authorities announced the child was found around 8:45 p.m. Authorities have not updated the whereabouts of the non-custodial mother.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.
Missouri
Arrest made on fugitive found in Missouri with narcotics, weapons in hand
HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (KCTV) – An arrest has been made on a fugitive found in Missouri with narcotics and weapons who was wanted for a similar crime in Kansas.
The Cass County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office says that just after midnight on Wednesday, Sept. 25, law enforcement officials stopped a vehicle in rural Harrisonville due to an expired license plate.
During the stop, deputies said they found drugs, a gun and a knife in the possession of Jacob Ott, 31, of Garden City, Missouri. It was also found that Ott had a warrant for his arrest out of Jackson County, Kansas, for failure to appear in court for an amphetamine charge.
As a result, Ott has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and for his fugitive status. As of Thursday, he remains behind Cass Co. bars with no bond listed.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
-
News1 week ago
Secret Service Told Trump It Needs to Bolster Security if He Keeps Golfing
-
Business1 week ago
U.S. Steel C.E.O. Says Nippon Deal Will Strengthen National Security
-
Politics1 week ago
New House Freedom Caucus chair reveals GOP rebel group's next 'big fight'
-
News1 week ago
Toplines: September 2024 Inquirer/Times/Siena Poll of Pennsylvania Registered Voters
-
News1 week ago
Disney trips meant for homeless NYC students went to school employees' families
-
Politics1 week ago
Biden admin moves to reinstate Trump-era rule, delist gray wolves from endangered species list
-
Politics1 week ago
Dem lawmakers push bill to restore funding to UN agency with alleged ties to Hamas: 'So necessary'
-
World1 week ago
What’s South Africa’s new school language law and why is it controversial?