Three people charged in Morgan County child abuse investigation

Three people have been charged in a Morgan County child abuse investigation.

According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, deputies went to the home of Skylar Duhn on Thursday after receiving a call reporting a child had severe burns to their hands and face.

A probable cause statement reveals Duhn identified the 2-year-old child as her son and stated that he had fallen into a space heater while she was at work Tuesday night.

Doctors with the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri stated the boy had third-degree burns to both sides of his left hand as well as cuts and bruises on his face.

Deputies said Duhn did not take her son to the hospital because she was afraid of losing her kids due to an open investigation she had with the Department of Family Services concerning her boyfriend, Troy Wyche.

Duhn told the deputies Wyche left before their arrival because he was afraid of going back to prison.

Wyche had a prior child abuse charge in Miller County alleging he had broken the skull of Duhn’s son in March 2018.

According to court documents, Duhn had kept her relationship with Wyche secret from DSF personnel, knowing they did not want him to watch her children, and he had a no-contact condition on his bond.

Morgan County prosecutors have charged Duhn and Wyche with child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

The mother of Wyche, Rebecca Coerver, was also charged in Morgan County with hindering the prosecution of a felony.

Deputies said Coerver picked up Wyche in Versailles and drove him to Osage Beach on Thursday.

Coerver is also accused of knowing about the child’s injuries, but never called or requested medical attention for the boy.

Sign up for email news alerts by clicking here