Josh Hawley announces conviction of Columbia man, guilty of statutory rape

Attorney General Josh Hawley announced on Wednesday that a Chariton County jury found Kris Ward, 40, of Columbia guilty of statutory rape and endangering the welfare of a child.

Ward is accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl over the course of several months.

Hawley said the jury watched a recorded interview with the victim as she described all that Ward did to her while babysitting.

“My office will not tolerate abuse of any nature,” Hawley said. “I am grateful to law enforcement, prosecutors and the jury who found this man guilty. Chariton County is safer because of their hard work.”

Chariton County Circuit Judge Terry Tschanned has set Ward’s sentencing for Dec. 7.

Ward faces up to two life sentences plus 7 years in prison.