Charges in child abuse case dropped
March 4, 2015
Charlea Mills
Child abuse and neglect charges against a Cassville woman were dismissed in court last week alleging that a child was found outside in cold temperatures and without shoes in January.
Rebecca Lynn Chaddock, 36, of Cassville, was initially charged with the crime on January 1. According to Chaddock, “The whole thing was a bold-faced lie.”
The child, who Chaddock identified as her six-year-old niece, was found by law enforcement officers on January 1, around 3:30 p.m. near 201 Partridge Drive in Cassville. In a probable cause statement filed with the Barry County Courts, Officer Colt Beck with the Cassville Police Department said that the girl was found in a t-shirt and shorts with no shoes, socks or coat in sleet and rain. He also noted that she was bleeding from her nose from being shoved on the concrete.
In an interview, Chaddock said, “I didn’t deal with the child. The child was my niece.” When asked if she was supposed to be caring for the child, she said, “I was present in the house, but I wasn’t taking care of her.” Chaddock declined to say who was watching the child at the time of the incident.
She said, “She was upset that she couldn’t go to Walmart with her mom.” When asked why officers found her outside, Chaddock explained, “She was outside for just a few minutes and a nosy neighbor decided to call.”
Chaddock claims that the entire situation was blown out of proportion. She said, “Because I’ve been in trouble with the law, then the county thinks, “Tag, you’re it’.” When asked to clarify, Chaddock said, “The county law enforcement thinks once you’re in trouble, you’re always trouble.” Chaddock admitted to having previous convictions, but said that she is turning her life around and moved back to the area to make a difference.
She said, “I was a house-mother at the house in Exeter trying to make a difference in this county.” The home Chaddock was referring to was group home in Exeter for women struggling with drug addiction in Barry County. The facility has since closed.
Chaddock said, “I want people to realize that I’m not a horrible person at all.”
When asked for comment, Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Boxx stated, “We chose not to pursue those charges. It was scheduled for a preliminary hearing, but we found that we didn’t have sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.” Charges were officially dropped against Chaddock on Wednesday, February 25.
Charlea Mills
Child abuse and neglect charges against a Cassville woman were dismissed in court last week alleging that a child was found outside in cold temperatures and without shoes in January.
Rebecca Lynn Chaddock, 36, of Cassville, was initially charged with the crime on January 1. According to Chaddock, “The whole thing was a bold-faced lie.”
The child, who Chaddock identified as her six-year-old niece, was found by law enforcement officers on January 1, around 3:30 p.m. near 201 Partridge Drive in Cassville. In a probable cause statement filed with the Barry County Courts, Officer Colt Beck with the Cassville Police Department said that the girl was found in a t-shirt and shorts with no shoes, socks or coat in sleet and rain. He also noted that she was bleeding from her nose from being shoved on the concrete.
In an interview, Chaddock said, “I didn’t deal with the child. The child was my niece.” When asked if she was supposed to be caring for the child, she said, “I was present in the house, but I wasn’t taking care of her.” Chaddock declined to say who was watching the child at the time of the incident.
She said, “She was upset that she couldn’t go to Walmart with her mom.” When asked why officers found her outside, Chaddock explained, “She was outside for just a few minutes and a nosy neighbor decided to call.”
Chaddock claims that the entire situation was blown out of proportion. She said, “Because I’ve been in trouble with the law, then the county thinks, “Tag, you’re it’.” When asked to clarify, Chaddock said, “The county law enforcement thinks once you’re in trouble, you’re always trouble.” Chaddock admitted to having previous convictions, but said that she is turning her life around and moved back to the area to make a difference.
She said, “I was a house-mother at the house in Exeter trying to make a difference in this county.” The home Chaddock was referring to was group home in Exeter for women struggling with drug addiction in Barry County. The facility has since closed.
Chaddock said, “I want people to realize that I’m not a horrible person at all.”
When asked for comment, Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Boxx stated, “We chose not to pursue those charges. It was scheduled for a preliminary hearing, but we found that we didn’t have sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.” Charges were officially dropped against Chaddock on Wednesday, February 25.
