Mother and boyfriend charged in shocking child neglect and endangerment case

Mother faces charges for neglect and endangerment

Kara WhiteProvided photo

On Friday, January 3, 2025 Caruthersville officers were called to the 300 Block of East 8th Street in Caruthersville to meet with Children’s Division Workers for a well being check on children at the residence. It had been reported that a 15 year old female was living with her 21 year old boyfriend.

Immediately, six dogs were secured from the residence and Caruthersville Animal Control was called due to malnutrition in the animals.

Once inside, officers identified an 11 year old boy who was reported as being frail and struggling to walk. The officer called Medic One who transported the victim to Pemiscot Memorial Emergency Room for evaluation. The victim was reported as being pale, with sunken in eyes, his ribs and spine clearly visible. He was also found to have visible bug bites on his arms and legs and bugs were found crawling in his hair. He was later transported to a childrens hospital for his injuries.

A search warrant was conducted on the residence which was found covered in dog and cat feces, on floors, furniture and bedding. The kitchen was found stocked with canned goods, boxed food and refrigerated and frozen items both in date and out of date.

The 21 year old suspect, Jax Waters, originally told officers he and the 15 year old female victim were only friends. But later admitted to having a sexual relationship with her, with the consent of her mother, Cara White.

Waters went on to say White had bought condoms for them and explained he, the victim and White slept in the bed while the two smaller children slept in the floor, all in the same room.

While went on to say she had not taken the 11 year old victim to the doctor since they moved to Caruthersville, adding that he had been on medication but she had taken him off it after moving.

She was confronted with him having a large number of lice in his hair and she responded saying she checked him daily for lice and noticed them just that day adding she had been using Tea Tree oil in him and that her daughter had washed the sheets and pillows earlier that day. The officers advised White that they knew that was untrue due to the amount of dog feces all over the bedding.

Waters appeared in court January 6, 2025 where he plead not guilty to charges of statutory rape. His next hearing is January 9, 2025.

Meanwhile White is facing charges of abuse or neglect of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and animal abuse. She is set to appear before Judge William Carter on January 9, 2025.