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Missouri sheriff and 2 deputies charged in connection with alleged plot to help a father kidnap his child | CNN

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Missouri sheriff and 2 deputies charged in connection with alleged plot to help a father kidnap his child | CNN




CNN
 — 

A Missouri sheriff and two of his deputies had been arrested Thursday and charged in reference to an alleged plot to assist a father kidnap his daughter from her mom after an argument final month, charging paperwork present.

The daddy, Rick Gaston, 62, was additionally arrested and faces 4 felony fees, together with tried parental kidnapping, conspiracy and stalking, and two different misdemeanor fees, in line with a prison criticism.

Iron County Sheriff Jeffery Burkett, 46, is accused of working with the 2 deputies to search out the mom, who was in search of refuge from Gaston, through the use of her telephone data, in order that Gaston may take their daughter from her, in line with the charging paperwork obtained by CNN affiliate KSDK.

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Burkett and the deputies – Matthew Cozad, 39, and Chase R. Bresnahan, 31 – every face 4 felony fees, together with conspiracy and collaborating in prison road gang actions, in addition to different misdemeanor fees, the charging paperwork present. Burkett can be charged with tried kidnapping.

An investigation into the case was performed by the Missouri State Freeway Patrol, the company mentioned in a launch.

CNN has not been in a position to decide if Bresnahan, Cozad and Gaston have attorneys.

Burkett’s legal professional, Gabe Crocker, known as the fees “politically motivated.”

“There was an ongoing try and take away Sheriff Burkett from workplace earlier than he even took workplace,” Crocker informed CNN.

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Iron County is about 90 miles south of St. Louis.

Burkett and the deputies responded to a home disturbance name between Gaston and the mom on February 8, the charging paperwork say.

After the deputies “separated” Gaston and the mom, she took her youngsters, ages 5 and 16, from the house and later sought “secure refuge” in a relative’s dwelling, in line with the paperwork, which point out one of many youngsters is Gaston’s daughter.

Two days later, Bresnahan submitted an arrest warrant software for the mom to the Iron County Prosecuting Lawyer, who declined to difficulty any fees, the paperwork say.

That very same day, investigators say Sheriff Burkett contacted dispatchers claiming the mom was presumably intoxicated and her baby was doubtlessly injured, in line with the paperwork. He then requested the mom’s telephone location pings, which require authorities to certify to the cell supplier that there’s an “rapid hazard of demise or damage to an individual” the paperwork allege.

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Cozad allegedly requested an inquiry into automobiles registered to the mom and requested for officers who encountered her to “cease and maintain” the mom, in line with the paperwork.

When Sheriff Burkett believed the mom was touring to a relative’s home in neighboring Washington County, he allegedly informed a 911 dispatcher to ship sheriff’s deputies to “simply park on the residence” however not enter the property, the paperwork say.

“Mr. Gaston goes to come back up there and attempt to get his daughter,” Burkett allegedly informed the dispatcher, in line with the criticism.

At one level, the criticism alleges, the 911 dispatcher knowledgeable Burkett the ping areas indicated the mom was possible headed towards her dwelling. Burkett allegedly responded, “I hope like hell she is, as a result of after I catch her, she’s gonna sit in my jail.”

When the dispatcher requested if the mom needs to be detained, Burkett allegedly replied, “Yeah, as soon as Mr. Gaston has his little lady, then we’ll detain her,” in line with the criticism.

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An unidentified male could possibly be heard on the telephone name speaking with Sheriff Burkett, in line with the criticism, and prosecutors say it appeared as if that individual was telling Burkett what to say.

The mom was later positioned at an deal with in a special county, the place a sheriff’s deputy sergeant performed a welfare test and “discovered no seen accidents and said the youngsters had been nice,” the criticism says. The sergeant mentioned he didn’t detain the mom, it says.

All 4 suspects had been being held in Washington County Jail with Burkett’s bond set at $500,000 and bond for the three others set at $400,000. Beneath their bond circumstances, the sheriff and deputies can’t serve of their legislation enforcement roles whereas the case is pending.

An announcement posted to the sheriff’s workplace Fb web page final Friday said that Burkett had simply been launched from the hospital as a result of problems from “lingering Covid-19 signs.” A reserving picture launched Thursday confirmed Burkett sporting an oxygen cannula.

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Missouri state lawmakers talk funding, legislation impacts with South Kansas City community

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Missouri state lawmakers talk funding, legislation impacts with South Kansas City community


KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne covers issues surrounding government accountability, solutions and consumer advocacy. Share your story with Isabella.

The Missouri General Assembly approved a lot of funding bills that have a direct impact in Kansas City, but Governor Mike Kehoe used his line-item veto power to cut some of those items.

Missouri state lawmakers talk funding, legislation impacts in South Kansas City

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Kehoe issued 208 vetoes, totaling nearly $300 million, on the General Assembly’s approved funding. The statewide cuts impact nearly 30 programs in the Kansas City area.

“As Governor, I have a constitutional obligation to balance the budget, and our administration will always follow the Constitution and rule of law,” Governor Kehoe said. “We support funding for education, and have proudly championed tax cuts for hard-working Missouri families and the desperately needed resources for our fellow Missourians affected by natural disasters this spring. However, these initiatives do not come without budgetary consequences.”

Jake Weller/KSHB 41

Missouri lawmakers at Monday night’s meeting in South Kansas City

Several Missouri lawmakers met Monday night with their constituents in South Kansas City to discuss the budgetary measures and bills approved in the 2025 legislative session.

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Democratic Representative Tiffany Price, Republican Senator Mike Cierpiot, Democratic Representative Anthony Ealy, Democratic Senator Patty Lewis, Democratic Representative Pattie Mansur, and Democratic Representative Mark Sharp were at the meeting to hear their citizens’ concerns on this year’s legislative action.

Price expressed her concerns about Governor Kehoe’s vetoes and cuts in federal funding.

Representative Tiffany Price

Jake Weller

“If we want our people to be better, then why are we suddenly cutting everything?” Price said. “If we want our children to be better, if we want our city to be better, then everybody has to be taken care of as a whole.”

State funding is an important issue for the dozens of people who met with state legislators, whether the money is for fixing roads in South Kansas City or fixing the lack of affordable childcare.

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Kids Win Missouri is a statewide organization that advocates for accessible childcare and works on solutions for families in need. Kansas City resident Jessica Tran now works with the organization’s outreach team, but saw the metro’s childcare crisis firsthand when she was a childcare provider.

Jessica Tran

Jake Weller

“We had so many wait lists, we had them broken down by age groups and siblings,” Tran said. “We had people calling every single day.”

Kids Win Missouri is launching a program with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) called Child Care Exchange. It shares money between the state, providers, and local cities to help open up spots for accessible childcare.

“It’s really exciting to be able to hopefully start this new innovation in Missouri and to make childcare more affordable for families, not only in Kansas City, but all throughout the state,” Deputy Director Casey Hanson said.

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The Missouri General Assembly approved $5 million for the program, but it was cut to $2.5 million.

Hanson said the funding is better than nothing, but expects fewer kids to get into Missouri childcare this year.

Casey Hanson

KSHB 41 News

“With $5 million, you’re able to do more,” Hanson said. “With $2.5 million, you’re able to do half of that. We’re still really positive about having that $2.5 million to work with and just getting the program launched, and then hopefully next year, going back and getting a bigger appropriation.”

A veto override is possible, but legislators at South KC’s meeting on Monday night explained it was unlikely in the upcoming September session.

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Representative Price sees funding for South Kansas City as a priority.

“The money is there, so let’s put it where it needs to go,” Price said.

A lack of childcare and childcare funding are two of the issues South Kansas City neighbors hope legislators address in their upcoming session. For Tran, it’s a personal mission to show legislators the impact funding childcare and the Child Care Exchange has in South Kansas City.

“[Missouri] did half, and we’re going to take that half and we’re going to be appreciative of that half,” Tran said. “We’re going to show them that it works and we’re going to show that it’s a great program and it’s going to do everything that we want it to do and probably more.”

Kids Win Missouri expects to have the program running in Kansas City within the next few months.

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Moberly community gathers for “Justice for Bailey” memorial walk | Mid-Missouri News

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Moberly community gathers for “Justice for Bailey” memorial walk | Mid-Missouri News


Moberly community members gathered on Sunday night to remember a woman who was killed in a shooting last weekend.

Friends, family, and strangers participated in a walk and a minute of silence on the walk to remember Bailey Scott.

One coordinator of the walk, Sabrina Johnson, explained what moved her to coordinate this event. 

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“After we heard about the tragedy, we just immediately thought of Bailey’s family, especially Bailey’s mother,” Johnson said “We wanted to help more. We wanted to find a way for the community to come together.”

Participants who wanted to join in the walk were asked to wear purple for Scott. 

“She never really had a favorite color,” Johnson said “But anytime she had told me if she would’ve to pick one it would be purple. We also chose orange for gun violence awareness.”

Johnson also added that purple seemed to be Scott’s happy color. 

In addition to the memorial walk, there were balloons provided for attendees to write memories on, and photos of Scott. One community member even donated car decals that read #JusticeforBailey.

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Scott was found dead on East Logan Street around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Four days after the shooting, David Hyde, 68, was arrested and booked at the Randolph County Jail for a second-degree murder charge in connection to Scott’s death.

Johnson said the Moberly community will not stop looking for justice for Scott and hopes to hold more walks in memory of Scott.

“As of right now it’s still in the talks,” Johnson said. “We were talking about doing it every first Sunday of the month.”

Scott, a regular of the Boozy Badger, was killed last Sunday.

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Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires

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Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires


KANSAS CITY, Mo — Willa’s Books and Vinyl, the oldest Black-owned bookstore in Missouri, is closing its final chapter as owner Willa Mae Robinson prepares for her retirement. The beloved shop, a cultural cornerstone in the community, has been a beacon for literature and music enthusiasts for years.

In a heartfelt farewell hosted by the KC Defender, the event served as a final love letter to her customers and supporters.

Will Shaw

Willa Mae Robinson, Owner of Willa’s Books and Vinyl

“All of these books, all of this music, all of this art—dedicated to you all,” Robinson said.

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Dozens, including Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, gathered to honor Robinson and her contributions.

Robinson’s passion for reading and music traces back to her upbringing in Arkansas, where her father, an avid reader, instilled in her the joys of literature.

“That was our life,” Robinson said. “That’s why I am who I am now.”

Willa Mae Robinson, Owner of Willa’s Books and Vinyl

Will Shaw

Willa Mae Robinson, Owner of Willa’s Books and Vinyl

However, it was the profound loss of her daughter and granddaughter that drove Robinson to fill a void in her life.

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“I was trying to fill the fact that my children were gone,” she said. “And I was just collecting books, books, books, books.”

Robinson worked for the post office for 30 years. In the 1990s she retired and transitioned her personal collection into a public treasure, selling the books at festivals before establishing her storefront in 2007.

Willa's Books and Vinyl: Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires

Will Shaw

Willa’s Books and Vinyl: Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires

“I didn’t collect all these books for them to be covered up somewhere,” she daid. “I want people to enjoy the books.”

As she prepares to turn a new page, she is passing the torch to the next generation. The store is set to become an archive under the ownership of The KC Defender, led by Founder and Executive Editor Ryan Sorrell.

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Ryan Sorrell, Founder and executive editor KC Defender

Will Shaw

Ryan Sorrell, Founder and executive editor KC Defender

“So people from the community can come in for free and look at these rare books,” Sorrell said.”Being able to nourish that love of literature is something that is extremely important to Mrs. Willa. So that, I think just the Blackness, the Black joy, the safety that people feel being in this space.”

The store’s legacy will be preserved as a community hub and the headquarters for the KC Defender.

“There’s not enough that can be said about what she represents to our community,” said Sorrell. “She went through trials and tribulations. She overcame extreme financial hardships, gentrification, all of these things. She could barely survive being able to run this bookstore. But because of her love for Black people, her love for Black literature, she invested her entire life into this. I am again deeply grateful, I’m excited.”

Willa's Books and Vinyl: Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires

Will Shaw

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Willa’s Books and Vinyl: Oldest Missouri Black Owned Book Store Closes as Owner Retires

While Robinson’s retirement is bittersweet, she looks forward to writing a new story.

“I am going to miss them,” she said. “I just want to thank them. Thank them for taking they time out because they could’ve been doing something else.”

Willa Robinson with her daughter and son

Will Shaw

Willa Robinson with her daughter and son

The day also served as a final sale with attendees leaving with their own pieces of history.





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