Stover man charged in toddler's death

Originally published February 16, 2012 at 3:55 p.m., updated February 16, 2012 at 7:22 p.m.

A Stover man has been charged in the death of a Morgan County toddler after the man allegedly staged a hit and run accident Thursday morning to cover up an earlier assault on the child, authorities said.

The investigation is continuing, officials said. The Associated Press reported Thursday night that the mother had been arrested.

According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, a call came in around 5:10 a.m. Thursday from Thomas J. Presley, 21, of Stover, who reported that a 3-year-old boy in his custody had been struck by a car on Missouri 135 near Buttons Road. Presley reported the incident as a hit and run.

Law enforcement and medical personnel responded to the scene and found Blake Litton unresponsive. He was transported to Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia where he was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m.

Presley was further questioned by law enforcement because of inconsistencies at the scene, statements Presley made and the violent trauma to the head and torso of Litton, authorities said.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that Presley staged the hit and run to cover up an assault on the juvenile that took place at his residence at 105 Oak Park Lane in Stover.

Presley is being held at the Morgan County Jail pending formal charges of second-degree murder.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

The Missouri Highway Patrol has now said the death of a three-year-old boy from Stover Thursday morning was not because of a hit-and-run accident.

Officials with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department are working on the investigation now.

Initial patrol reports, showed Blake Litton walked from the ditch line of Missouri 135 at Buttons Road into the lane of traffic and was hit by an unknown vehicle.

This occurred around 5:15 a.m.

The child was taken to Bothwell Regional Hospital in Sedalia where he died.

More like this story

gofish 1 year, 4 months ago

And what was a 3 year old doing walking on a highway at 5:15am? Where was the parents?

rezpup 1 year, 4 months ago

"Investigators said Thursday the boy was in the process of getting back into the car after he and his father stopped along the road this morning.

The boy was entering on the driver's side in the back seat when he was struck, according to a spokesman for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "

According to ABC 17 News

rezpup 1 year, 4 months ago

Not a hit and run after all. The mother and her boyfriend have been arrested pending murder charges.

That poor poor baby. I don't understand how parents could ever even think about harming their children.

colonelmustard 1 year, 4 months ago

wow.....another tragic example of how a split second can absolutely alter so many lives. What might have been avoided by using a different door? LIkely the child seat was on the side of the car he was trying to enter perhaps? Terrible.

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