Justice delayed? Examining the backlog of child abuse and assault cases in local courts

Local courts deal with multiple child abuse and assault cases

Jax Waters, 21, of Caruthersville is facing charges of statutory rape after a report was made to child services and an investigation found that he was having sex with his 15 year old girlfriend and sleeping in a bed with her and her mother. Originally no bond was set due the court finding him to be a potential threat to the victim. He appeared before Judge William Carter on January 27 where despite state objections, bond was lowered to $5,000 and Waters was told to have no contact with the victim. His preliminary hearing is set for February 6.

Cara White, is facing charges of abuse or neglect of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and animal abuse after child services investigated and found her child was malnourished and covered with bug bites and lice. Several dogs were also removed from the home for malnourishment. Charges were also filed for endangering the welfare of a child when it was discovered she was allowing her juvenile daughter to live with and have sex with her 21 year old boyfriend. On January 9 it was found she did not qualify for a public defender due to owning property. On January 13 she plead not guilty and filed for an indigence status, at a later court date she waved her right to a preliminary hearing.

Courtney Holmes, 38, is facing charges of domestic assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Charges were originally filed in September of 2022 at the arraignment held on February 3, 2025, court records state because the case was two years old, the defendant turned himself in and the victim requested not to prosecute saying she was not afraid of the defendent, the court found him not to be a potential threat to the victim or community and granted him released. To which the prosecutor objected. A counsel hearing was set for February 27, 2025.

Dale Hall, 37, of Caruthersville, was charged with assault in October of 2024 when two juveniles from his home accused him of physical and sexual abuse. According to the probable cause affidavit, one of the victims claimed Hall would slap and grab her on the butt when walking by. The child also said he would kiss her on the lips and when she would refuse, he would choke her. The victim reported an instance of him straddling her on the bed and choking her when she refused to kiss him. On October 11, 2024 a hearing was held and bond lowered to $5000 with the agreement of having no contact with the complaining witnesses in the case. Hall entered a plea of not guilty on November 4, 2024. A hearing was held by Judge Brandon Sanchez February 7, 2025 and the court reported, “after hearing in the matter determines that the matter is to be bound over to circuit court on March 4, 2025 at 10 a.m.

Vonda Hall, 44, of Caruthersville. is facing charges of abuse or neglect of a child. On April 1, 2024 she was held with no bond as the court found her to be a threat to the victim. According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim reported to Officer Michael Sanders that they had been hit with a belt on their legs and arms. A representative from Childrens Division was able to look at the marks and photograph them. The victim was sent for a NASV exam on March 26, 2024 during which time the victim reported that when Hall got angry at she would hit them with a belt, spoon or paddle, grab them about the face and neck. The child was removed from the home. On April 2, Judge William Carter recused himself from the matter and Judge Brandon Sanchez was assigned to the case. On April 9 Hall entered a plea of not guilty. The right to a preliminary hearing was waved on June 18, 2024. On September 17, 2024 the hearing was rescheduled as her attorney was granted a leave to withdraw and her new attorney appeared. On October 15, 2024 the hearing was rescheduled to December 17, 2024. Then on December 17, 2024 it was rescheduled for January 21, 2025. On that day the hearing was rescheduled to March 4, 2025.

Vonda Hall is also facing charges of furnishing pornographic material to a minor. In a probable cause affidavit from October of 2024, the victim reported Hall would walk around the residence nude and that if friends were over she would put on a robe but leave it open exposing herself saying, “all adults do it.” The victim said when she finished a bath or shower she would call them into the bathroom to hand her.a towel and would stand nude exposing herself to them. The victim also said Hall would show her and her sister cell phone nude photos of their father and ask them if they found it sexy. On October 28, 2024 bond was set at $5000 and the judge recused himself sending the matter to Judge Brandon Sanchez. The following day she was released on her own recognizance with the order of having no contact with the witnesses until further notice. On November 4, 2024 she appeared and plead not guilty with a review set for December 2, 2024. Then a motion of continuance was granted and a review scheduled for January 6, 2025. A that time it was reset to February 3, 2025 and reset again to March 3, 2025.