Missouri Highway Patrol Probes Death of Staff Member at Vall…

A 69-year-old staff member at Valley Springs Youth Ranch in Reynolds County was found dead in the afternoon on July 1 in what authorities are investigating as a homicide, and a juvenile has been detained in connection with the case.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, law enforcement officers were dispatched to the ranch at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday, where they found the woman deceased. Authorities have not released her identity.

The patrol said a juvenile has been detained. Investigators believe the incident was isolated and said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. The case has been classified as a homicide.

Valley Springs Youth Ranch, located in Black, provides short- and long-term residential care for children and young adults ages 6 to 21, with a capacity of 84 residents.

Authorities have released few additional details as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Cpl. Dakota Nash of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G at 417-469-3121.

The case remains under investigation.