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Child endangerment charge filed against Tuscumbia man

Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 4:07 PM CDT
A Tuscumbia man has been charged with a felony count of child endangerment and is being held in the Miller County Jail awaiting a court appearance.

According to court documents, James H, Ward, 25, allegedly used his fist to punch a female child, approximately 7-years-old, in the chest and stomach while living in the residence with the child at 20 Buttercup Road in the Tuscumbia area.

Documents filed with the court state that the child told an investigator from the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team, that she was home alone with Ward when the incident occurred. The child told investigators that when Ward punched her, it knocked the wind out of her.

The documents indicate Ward allegedly threatened to hit the child harder the next time the child told one person that he liked another person better than someone else.

Ward was arrested on May 23. Ward will be held without bond until an arraignment. A court date has not been set.




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gofish wrote on Jun 4, 2008 8:35 AM:

" So, what's the difference between this guy, held without bond, and the murderer who the court bonded out for 50k? I can rationalize that the live child still needs protecting, but doesn't the society deserve to send a message to murderers as well. Confusing. "

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AMAZED wrote on Jun 4, 2008 7:13 AM:

" I appreciate the compliment and the admission of your errors of research and false accusations of the reality of crime between the two counties. My advice to you, should you attempt to engage in this type of trickery again, is to do separate research on each area, county, or municipality you condemn, so readers can make accurate decisions on the information presented. In other words, you shpuld have compared Cole County and Jefferson City separately instead of combining them and hailing your stats as proof of nothing. I am proud to be your hero. "

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Mid-Mo wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:00 AM:

" City-Data is a reputable source used by many home buyers to research areas to raise their children. Since this issue involved the safety of children, I thought their info would be relevant. Apparently nobody has a mind that works like AMAZED, though, so how can any of us figure anything out for ourselves. I did infact look at Eldon and Lake Ozark, the two bigger towns in Miller County, but inadvertently left out 3 robberies (9 if mulitplied), which still leaves Miller (Eldon, Lake Ozark included) with less crime than Cole (J.C. included). Excuse me for being objective. There is obviously no reasoning with you. You are so smart and such a great researcher, an expert in all areas of life. You're my hero AMAZED. "

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AMAZED wrote on May 31, 2008 11:31 PM:

" Eldon reported 3 robberies in 2005. WHy didn't you use those stats in your multiplier Using the 3 multiplier that is 9. So what you are doing is just using Miller County stats without including its towns, to try and prove a point about Cole County and Jeff City together Nice try, work harder. "

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AMAZED wrote on May 31, 2008 11:18 PM:

" Perhaps you should stop using City-Data and start using accurate and reliable statistics. Such as the FBI Crime stats as I did. But, why disprove your own theory, right? To present a logical argument you must list Cole County and Jeff City as two separate entities, not lumped together to make a blanket statement for all. You can live in Cole County, or you can live in Jeff City, which is in Cole County, but both have different crime stats. You have not included Eldon crime stats in your formula so start with those stats and come back later with a more logical argument basis. "

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Apple27 wrote on May 30, 2008 10:52 AM:

" I don't believe all of Miller County are brain dead, but you have to admit it starts at the county court and works it's way down. How are the poverty level people to know better when the county court condones child abuse. When woman gets put on probation for being high and killing her infant, that lets the whole county know they can abuse their children and get away with it. Something really needs to be done in this county. "

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Mid-Mo wrote on May 29, 2008 6:07 PM:

" In either case, Gfan is right, it doesn't matter which county this occurs, it is still horrible.

And in response, you may be correct on all three counts. In Miller Co., kids may not be as safe, cars may not be as enticing to steal, and math may generally be lacking due mostly to unerfunded rural school districts. But my math is sound, a point you should concede if you do a little more research into your stats and how they are attained. Besides, I don't even live in Miller Co., I was just saying that not ALL of the people there are "braindead" idiots. "

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Mid-Mo wrote on May 29, 2008 5:59 PM:

" Amazed- You have skewed stats. Many times, Cole County stats do not include Jefferson City stats because they are reported by two different agancies, The Sheriffs Dept. and the Police. My comment was based on 2005 stats from City-Data. From this publication, we get these numbers:
Cole County (including J.C.) population 72,757
Murder: 8, Rape: 29, Robberies: 37, Assault: 279, Burglaries: 435, Thefts 1,625.

Miller County population 24,712
With 3X Multiplier, we get these numbers: Murders: 0, Rape: 24, Robberies: 0, Assault: 156, Burglaries: 150, Thefts: 261.

Granted, these are 2005 numbers and we've obviously seen some murders in Miller Co. in 2007-2008, but there haven't been enough to tip the scales of Crime in the direction of Miller County. "

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Gfan wrote on May 29, 2008 4:08 PM:

" It does not matter what county, both he and her need to be put away for a long time, Might be a bad statement, but these two should never be around kids again. "

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AMAZED wrote on May 29, 2008 1:37 PM:

" Using the "per person math theory" and tripleing Miller crime stats, in relation to Cole population, places Miller far above Cole in crimes committed, as it already does % wise.

Conclusion: Kids aren't safe, cars aren't worth stealing, and math skills are lacking in Miller County. "

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AMAZED wrote on May 29, 2008 1:36 PM:

" Current population of Cole County is 73,296 and Miller County 24,989.

Latest 2006 FBI STATS show:
Violent Crimes - Miller 51 & Cole 40
Rapes - Miller 4 & Cole 6
AGG Assaults - Miller 47 & Cole 32
Burglaries - Miller 78 & Cole 130
Vehicle Thefts - Miller 19 & Cole 44

Child Abuse Neglect Case per 1000 population:
Miller 61 cases & Cole 33 cases

Quality Of Life For Children in Missouri Counties:
Miller 80th - Cole 35th

Poverty Rate:
Miller 14.2 % - Cole 7.2 % "

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oriley wrote on May 29, 2008 12:45 PM:

" What a stupid idiot. He is big and brave to be able to punch a 7 year old child. Maybe he will get prison time and then somoene bigger than him can punch him for not saying the right thing to please them. Absolutely disgusting, a child abuser in the making. "

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mss78 wrote on May 29, 2008 10:48 AM:

" Thank you Mid-Mo and Boscoe!!! "

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boscoe wrote on May 29, 2008 10:26 AM:

" Sounds like it is only a small section of Miller County where the trouble is coming from. Maybe someon needs to distribute some birth control in that area. "

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Mid-Mo wrote on May 29, 2008 10:19 AM:

" Let's all make ourselves feel better by bashing Miller County. Miller County has less crime (murder, rape, burglaries, robberies, auto thefts, assaults) per person than Jefferson City alone, not to mention the entire County of Cole. They have been in the news a lot lately and something is wrong there, but to say everyone one from there is "braindead" or stupid is a gross generalization. There's a problem, it needs to be fixed, everyone acknowledges that. Crimes like this happen everywhere, yes, even in Utopian Jefferson City. "

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winky615 wrote on May 29, 2008 9:24 AM:

" HMARIE: Endangering the welfare of a child involves, among other acts, knowingly acting in a manner that creates a substantial risk to the life, body, or health of a child less than seventeen years old.

Child Abuse involves inflicting cruel and unusual punishment on a child less than seventeen years old.

You have to look at the severity of the act. What child abuse encompasses are more "violent" acts (i.e. burning with hot water, putting cigs out on a kid, etc). In this case it was one punch which is most likely why they went with 1st degree child endangerment, which is a felony. "

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mss78 wrote on May 29, 2008 8:39 AM:

" Ok, I am probably going to be ridiculed for this but, I am originally from Miller County (I live in Cole County now & have for the past 3 years), but, it is kind of offensive to be put in the same catagory with the "Miller County people". If you will notice, it is only a section of Miller County (Tuscumbia, Iberia, Brumley) that these psychos are coming from. So...that being said, it is NOT all of Miller County that is crazy. My whole family lives there and they are very good people. You have crazy, stupid people in every county you go to. I do however admit that DFS & the Miller County Sherrif REALLY need to step up! "

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lovemyboys wrote on May 29, 2008 12:41 AM:

" Miller County has some serious issues! I don't know if they are "brain dead" or what, but most of these are "no brainers" (pun intended).... I'm sure the child will be okay until the next time and they kill her and Miller County is once again no the news...love the reference to "Killer County".... I'm not sure who is "dumb" and who is "dumber" (DFS or the local sheriff's office?). You pick... "

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Busymom wrote on May 29, 2008 12:11 AM:

" Average Joe: According to one of the TV news stations' reports, this man, James Ward, and his girlfriend, Cheryl Patrick lived together. Cheryl was recently charged with killing James Ward's child, Alexis Ward, four months ago. This was investigated and another child in the home who belongs to Cheryl Patrick reported during this investigation that James Ward had punched her in the stomach when she said she liked Alexis Ward's mom better than her own (Cheryl Patrick). At least this is what the news source reported early in the day today (Wednesday). I looked for that article so I could give a link and now cannot find it. It was either on KMIZ 17 or KOMU 8. Such a sad story to read... "

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hmarie775 wrote on May 28, 2008 9:57 PM:

" Also can anyone tell me what the difference between a child endangerment charge and a child abuse charge is? Is not punching a child an actual ASSAULT charge? Child endangerment to me is not locking up your medicine cabinet or leaving them in a car unattended, where they are endangered, not attacked or beaten. Hitting a child should be more than "endangerment" that's plain out assault!! "

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hmarie775 wrote on May 28, 2008 9:55 PM:

" What is wrong with these people?? I think DFS needs to really be pushing a TV and Radio "never shake a baby" and child abuse prevention campaign in Miller County, ASAP!! "

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Average Joe wrote on May 28, 2008 7:15 PM:

" There is no indication what relationship Mr. Ward has with the child. Is he related, or is he the momma's boyfriend?

I ask because I've seen way too many cases where the "significant other" is left at home with the child while the parent works. The S.O. then abuses the kid to death. If I'm not mistaken, I believe there is a case pending in Killer County where the girlfriend killed the daddy's infant child by shaking it while daddy was at work.

It's wonderful the child had the courage to speak up. I hope the momma (if this is indeed the case) has the courage to throw the bum out and press charges to the fullest. "

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castigliano wrote on May 28, 2008 5:49 PM:

" This child needs protection from Mr. Ward, she should NEVER have to be around him ever again. "

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AMAZED wrote on May 28, 2008 5:34 PM:

" The child told one person that she liked another person better than the one she said that to. In other words, I dont like you because I like someone else better. Perfect reason to punch a 7 year old dont you think. STAT is a statewide team but could work full time in Miller County. "

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BNJC22 wrote on May 28, 2008 4:54 PM:

" I'm confused?? He told the child next time she told someone else that she liked another person more or him??
At any rate, I think Mr. Ward has some growing up to do. "

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