We've posted on this case before. As often happens, the courts set up wife number #2 as The Evil Step, while dad is cast as clueless and inept. It's bull. It's sometimes the case that mothers are prevented from protecting their children because of death threats or beatings. But not men. Yet battered women are routinely held responsible for "failing to protect" while fathers seldom are despite the typical absence of any factors that would prevent them from doing so.
Dad is identifed as JUSTIN WEBB. See the Killer Dads and Custody list for Missouri.
http://www.clintoncountyleader.com/news/article_5d7e2ea0-c058-11e5-93c8-4f1ab1af2863.html
Webb pleads guilty to murder in child abuse case
Posted: Thursday, January 21, 2016 10:02 am | Updated: 10:08 am, Thu Jan 21, 2016.
By BECKY BLACK | Leader Editor
He would have been eight years old on January 3 – sharing his smile and energy at elementary school, playing in the snow, eating birthday cake. But Lucas Webb’s life was tragically cut short at the age of four because of child abuse and neglect.
The case against Melissa Webb has lingered in Clinton County since 2012 when she and her husband, Justin Webb, were charged with murder and child abuse after the death of Lucas. Justin was Lucas’ father; Melissa was his step-mother. Months became years as friends and loved ones begged for justice in Lucas’ name.
Last Tuesday, January 12, Melissa Webb appeared in Clinton County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to both counts, just two weeks ahead of the start of her jury trial. In front of the Honorable Judge Brent Elliott, Melissa waived her right to testify and was sentenced to 20 years on Count I – Murder in the Second Degree, and 15 years on Count II – Abuse or Neglect of a Child. According to online court records, the sentencing recommendation stated the sentences would run concurrent, or at the same time. Melissa has been in custody since charged in 2012 and with credit for time served could spend a maximum of 17 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri Scott Fox worked the case as a special prosecutor for Clinton County. (The Leader made attempts to contact the Attorney General’s office for explanation of the sentencing, but Mr. Fox was not available for comment prior to press time.)
As the details still unfold surrounding Melissa and Justin’s plea agreements, the facts of the case still remain clear. Emergency responders were dispatched to the Webb home in Holt, Mo., on the afternoon of October 15, 2012, for an unresponsive child. Lucas was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed his death was due to blunt force trauma to the abdomen approximately 12-24 hours before his death. During their investigation, Clinton County officers found Lucas had made a statement to an adult in late August that his stomach hurt after his step-mother had kicked him because she was mad. This finding confirmed what the autopsy revealed. Lucas had sustained fractured ribs six to eight weeks prior to his death.
In 2013, The Kansas City Star reported the release of the Department of Social Services documents surrounding Lucas’ case. Despite multiple hotlines over a handful of years, five days prior to his death, state workers had closed their abuse and neglect case labeling it “sufficient parenting”. Justin and Melissa had an excuse for every concern presented. His cries for help were silenced.
Also in the Star’s 2013 report, Department of Social Services spokesperson Rebecca Woelfel said the case had been reviewed and it was determined that “staff members violated agency policy” and those two employees were no longer working for the agency.
Justin Webb is currently out on bond. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in 2014. All hearings for Justin have been canceled and nothing is scheduled. Social media posts on the “R.I.P. Lucas Webb” Facebook page state Melissa agreed to testify on Justin’s behalf as part of her plea.
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Thursday, January 21, 2016
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
State declares low risk for 3-year-old boy; 5 days later killed by custodial father, step (Jefferson City, Missouri)
We first reported on this case in 2012. At that time it wasn't clear what the custodial arrangement was. Now it is pretty clear--though not stated explicitly--that JUSTIN WEBB was a custodial dad.
So how did this violent creep and the equally creepy step get custody of this child? Who gave it to them? What happened to this child's mother?
As we have stated time and time again, whenever a father has gained custody of a child (only to murder said child), the status of the mother needs to be investigated. Dead, "missing", outgunned in family court by an aggressive abuser intent on punishing her? What?
http://www.kctv5.com/story/22304869/state-declares-risk-low-for-preschooler-5-days-later-he-was-dead
State declares risk low for preschooler, 5 days later he was dead
Posted: May 21, 2013 2:02 AM EDT
Updated: Jul 20, 2013 2:10 AM EDT
By DeAnn Smith, Digital Content Manager
By Betsy Webster, News Reporter
JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KCTV) - For months, concerns had been raised about the welfare of Lucas Webb.
Authorities have arrested a father and stepmother after a 4-year-old boy died from being kicked in the stomach.
Clinton County prosecutors charged Lucas Webb's father, 34-year-old Justin Webb, and his stepmother, Melissa Webb, 32, with second-degree murder and felony child abuse. Both are being held at the Clinton County Jail on $500,000 bond each.
Born Jan. 3, 2008, Lucas knew much pain and suffering in his four short years. Missouri social workers either dismissed or overlooked signs that he was abused, including comments made by the little boy himself.
On Oct. 10, 2012, state social workers closed an investigation, saying that they had determined "the risk level is low for current parents."
On Oct. 16, 2012, state social workers, using Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's letterhead, would write to Justin Webb that they had investigated a Sept. 7 report that his son had bruises, welts, red marks, was malnourished and had other signs of abuse.
"There is insufficient evidence," to determine that Lucas was being abused, the letter to Webb stated. State social workers accepted Webb's contention that his son was "clumsy" and "bruised easily."
Lucas died on Oct. 15, 2012, and Webb and Lucas' stepmother, Melissa Webb, were charged with second-degree murder.
His death is one of several recent cases that have raised questions about how Missouri social workers respond to allegations of abuse and neglect involving children. Under pressure from state lawmakers, the state released on Monday hundreds of pages about their handling of the case to news media outlets that had first sought them months ago.
The first allegations about Lucas being abused came in 2009, according to the state records released Monday. More allegations were filed in January 2012, when he turned four.
By that summer, the allegations would intensify with workers at a daycare that he attended sharing their concerns with a confidential hotline to state social workers.
A Missouri Department of Social Services spokeswoman told KCTV5 that staff members had violated agency policy while handling the allegations involving the little boy.
"As a result, appropriate personnel actions was (sic) taken and two employees are no longer working for the Department of Social Services," DSS Department spokeswoman Rebecca Woelfel wrote in an email to KCTV5.
She offered her regrets.
"The death of any child is a tragedy and the Department of Social Services deeply regrets the death of Lucas," she wrote.
Lucas told an adult that his stepmother had kicked him in the stomach with her foot, according to the records released Monday. He described being deprived of food and being locked out of the house.
Daycare workers were worried about his frail condition, his lethargy, his distended stomach and absenteeism from the class. One worker said that Lucas claimed his father was mean to him and made him eat pencils.
But social workers concluded he wasn't required to go to class, so it wasn't a big enough issue for them. This came after they twice visited the home and determined food was present and Lucas suffered from typical childhood bruises.
KCTV5 interviewed a former Children's Division investigations manager on Monday. She honed in on two major mistakes that she said allowed Lucas to slip through the cracks. This included failing to hone in on the daycare workers' specific concerns about his physical appearance and Lucas describing the physical abuse.
The state worker also had concerns that on Oct. 10 a school official reported that Lucas had missed nearly three weeks of school (coinciding with the first report to the state hotline), and no call was made by the parents.
An autopsy found that Lucas died from blunt-force trauma to his abdomen. He also had fractured ribs and healed injuries.
Webb's next court appearance is July 9. Melissa Webb is due back in court on June 6.
So how did this violent creep and the equally creepy step get custody of this child? Who gave it to them? What happened to this child's mother?
As we have stated time and time again, whenever a father has gained custody of a child (only to murder said child), the status of the mother needs to be investigated. Dead, "missing", outgunned in family court by an aggressive abuser intent on punishing her? What?
http://www.kctv5.com/story/22304869/state-declares-risk-low-for-preschooler-5-days-later-he-was-dead
State declares risk low for preschooler, 5 days later he was dead
Posted: May 21, 2013 2:02 AM EDT
Updated: Jul 20, 2013 2:10 AM EDT
By DeAnn Smith, Digital Content Manager
By Betsy Webster, News Reporter
JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KCTV) - For months, concerns had been raised about the welfare of Lucas Webb.
Authorities have arrested a father and stepmother after a 4-year-old boy died from being kicked in the stomach.
Clinton County prosecutors charged Lucas Webb's father, 34-year-old Justin Webb, and his stepmother, Melissa Webb, 32, with second-degree murder and felony child abuse. Both are being held at the Clinton County Jail on $500,000 bond each.
Born Jan. 3, 2008, Lucas knew much pain and suffering in his four short years. Missouri social workers either dismissed or overlooked signs that he was abused, including comments made by the little boy himself.
On Oct. 10, 2012, state social workers closed an investigation, saying that they had determined "the risk level is low for current parents."
On Oct. 16, 2012, state social workers, using Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's letterhead, would write to Justin Webb that they had investigated a Sept. 7 report that his son had bruises, welts, red marks, was malnourished and had other signs of abuse.
"There is insufficient evidence," to determine that Lucas was being abused, the letter to Webb stated. State social workers accepted Webb's contention that his son was "clumsy" and "bruised easily."
Lucas died on Oct. 15, 2012, and Webb and Lucas' stepmother, Melissa Webb, were charged with second-degree murder.
His death is one of several recent cases that have raised questions about how Missouri social workers respond to allegations of abuse and neglect involving children. Under pressure from state lawmakers, the state released on Monday hundreds of pages about their handling of the case to news media outlets that had first sought them months ago.
The first allegations about Lucas being abused came in 2009, according to the state records released Monday. More allegations were filed in January 2012, when he turned four.
By that summer, the allegations would intensify with workers at a daycare that he attended sharing their concerns with a confidential hotline to state social workers.
A Missouri Department of Social Services spokeswoman told KCTV5 that staff members had violated agency policy while handling the allegations involving the little boy.
"As a result, appropriate personnel actions was (sic) taken and two employees are no longer working for the Department of Social Services," DSS Department spokeswoman Rebecca Woelfel wrote in an email to KCTV5.
She offered her regrets.
"The death of any child is a tragedy and the Department of Social Services deeply regrets the death of Lucas," she wrote.
Lucas told an adult that his stepmother had kicked him in the stomach with her foot, according to the records released Monday. He described being deprived of food and being locked out of the house.
Daycare workers were worried about his frail condition, his lethargy, his distended stomach and absenteeism from the class. One worker said that Lucas claimed his father was mean to him and made him eat pencils.
But social workers concluded he wasn't required to go to class, so it wasn't a big enough issue for them. This came after they twice visited the home and determined food was present and Lucas suffered from typical childhood bruises.
KCTV5 interviewed a former Children's Division investigations manager on Monday. She honed in on two major mistakes that she said allowed Lucas to slip through the cracks. This included failing to hone in on the daycare workers' specific concerns about his physical appearance and Lucas describing the physical abuse.
The state worker also had concerns that on Oct. 10 a school official reported that Lucas had missed nearly three weeks of school (coinciding with the first report to the state hotline), and no call was made by the parents.
An autopsy found that Lucas died from blunt-force trauma to his abdomen. He also had fractured ribs and healed injuries.
Webb's next court appearance is July 9. Melissa Webb is due back in court on June 6.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
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.
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.
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