Rampant Abuse and Murders of Children

[Lady Cop]

KOAM

Updated July 26, 2012 at 12:10 PM CST: Two women are arraigned in court this morning in the case of a three year old child weighing just 12 pounds.

Authorities charged the mother, Beth Williams, and a roommate, Christina Haidle, with endangering the life of a child in the first degree.

Both pled not guilty this morning and were assigned public defenders.

On July 1 authorities found the 12-pound three year old girl unresponsive at a Joplin home and took the child to Freeman Hospital.

The child is now in foster care and is gaining weight.

Updated July 25, 2012 at 11:50 AM CST: A severely malnourished three-year-old who authorities say weighed only 12 pounds is now recovering in the safety of a foster family.

Two Joplin women are charged with child endangerment after a young girl is taken to the hospital with barely a pulse.

Beth Williams, 26, the mother of the three-year-old. Bond for both Williams and her roommate - Christina Haidle, 27 - is set at $500,000.

Their first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
bond was set at $500,000

The child was unresponsive when police responded to the Joplin home on July 1. She was first taken to Freeman Hospital then flown to Mercy Hospital in Springfield.

The three-year-old weighed only 12 pounds, was dehydrated and had a number of health problems. Doctors there say the girl's lack of growth was because of lack of nutrition.

She has since been placed in a foster home where the child gained two pounds in the first week.

Posted July 24, 2012 at 4:19 PM CST - Statement from the Joplin Police Department:

On July 1, 2012 Joplin Police were called to 1407 S. Pennsylvania in reference to a 3 year old child who was unresponsive. The child was transported to Freeman Hospital in Joplin from the residence. While at the hospital it was discovered the child was suffering from very low blood sugar BLOOD SUGAR WAS 0. and a low body temperature. The child appeared to be emaciated and suffering from malnutrition. The critically ill child weighed just over 12 lbs and was flown to a hospital in Springfield.

Detectives continued to investigate the case, interviewing medical professionals and those involved in the life of the child. The investigation revealed severe malnutrition of the child with no known medical reason for the growth failure of the child. The mother of the child, Beth A. Williams, 26 years old and a roommate, Christina M. Haidle, 27 years old of 1407 S. Pennsylvania, Joplin, were arrested on July 21, 2012 for Endangering the Welfare of a Child 1^st Degree. Charges have filed by the Jasper County Prosecutor's Office.