Elledge denied bond reduction in child abuse case

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The husband of a Columbia missing woman was denied a bond reduction on Tuesday after last week's hearing in his child abuse case.

Joseph Elledge's bond was set at $500,000. According to a Boone County Judge's order, if Elledge posts his bond, he will not be allowed to have contact with any victims or children and will have to be under home detention using a GPS monitor.

Last week, prosecutors named Elledge as the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Mengqi Elledge.

Joseph Elledge, 24, of Columbia was arrested and charged with child abuse or neglect in October after officers allegedly found evidence of abuse during their missing person's investigation centered on his wife.

Mengqi Elledge, 28, went missing Oct. 8. Joseph Elledge reported her missing a day and a half after she allegedly didn't come home.

Joseph Elledge's attorney argued in court documents that Elledge is not the only suspect in the case, and that Mengqi Elledge had been "exchanging sexually explicit texts with another individual."

As of Tuesday morning, Joseph Elledge was still in the Boone County Jail.

Joseph Elledge's lawyer, John O'Connor, said he respects the court's ruling but declined to comment further.