Dad, step charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of 4-year-old son (Holt, Missouri)

As too often happens, the custody arrangement is NOT explained. We have no idea WHY the sicko daddy and step had access to this child, or HOW MUCH access they have been granted. So obviously, we don't know WHO gave them custody/visitation either.

Nor do we know about the mother. The article has erased her out of existence. Whevever you have a violent father/step, especially when they are suspected of homicide, you must ask what happened to the mother. Is she dead? Under what circumstances? Is she alive? Do we know that for a fact? Has she "disappeared"?

Dad is identified as JUSTIN R. WEBB.

http://fox4kc.com/2012/10/18/father-and-stepmother-arrested-for-childs-death/

Father and Stepmother Arrested for Child’s Death

Posted on: 10:40 am, October 18, 2012, by Michelle Pekarsky, updated on: 04:06pm, October 18, 2012

HOLT, Mo. – Police announced Thursday that they arrested the father and stepmother of a four-year-old boy, who died Monday.

An ambulance was called to the family residence on Monday afternoon for an unresponsive child. Lucas Webb, 4, was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy determined Lucas died from blunt-force trauma to the abdomen.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and the Northwest Major Case Squad arrested Justin R. Webb, 34, and Melissa D. Webb, 32, both of Holt.

Both father and stepmother have been charged with the Class A felony of murder in the second degree.

The coroner says the trauma happened to Lucas 12 to 24 hours before he died, and police believe it was Lucas’ stepmother who did it.

According to officers, back on August 24, Lucas also said his stomach hurt because his stepmother kicked him while she was mad. The autopsy shows he had prior injuries of fractured and separated ribs that occurred about six to eight weeks ago.

“First they said Clinton County, and then they said Holt and I’m like Oh my God Holt, no way, and then to just find out it’s down the street from where I live, that’s just, I can’t even believe it. I can’t,” said one neighbor.

Both Webbs are being held on half a million dollars cash bond.