Shelbina woman sentenced to 90 years for child molestation and statutory sodomy

Attorney General Chris Koster announced Monday that Macon County Circuit Court Judge Rick Tucker sentenced Melinda S. Tillitt, 39, of Shelbina, to prison for 90 years. Tillett received consecutive terms of 15 years each for five counts of statutory sodomy and one count of child molestation.

Since at least 2007, Tillitt had sexually abused two female children between the ages 8-14 in her household by engaging in a variety of acts of deviate sexual intercourse, at times holding the children under water to force compliance.

Tillett’s husband, Kevin T. Tillitt of Shelbina, is charged with rape and sodomy against the victims, and is scheduled for a trial on May 9, 2017, in Adair County after a change of venue.

The case was investigated by the Shelbina Police Department after the victims told a trusted church member.

“It is unimaginable that a parent would so betray the trust of her children,” Koster said. “The long sentence gives them a measure of security that they will not be hurt by her again.”