Jefferson City man charged after foster parent finds explicit photos sent to a child

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man is charged with a sex crime against a child after a foster parent found an explicit photo in an online account.

A Cole County prosecutor has charged Lucas Abbett with sexual misconduct involving a child under 15.

According to court documents, a witness found sexually explicit Snapchat messages and photos sent allegedly by Abbett to a 13-year-old victim.

On the next day, the witness told Abbett’s spouse about the messages and kicked him out of the house, court documents state.

Investigators say Abbett then left the house and tried to commit suicide by hanging himself on the Highway 50/63 overpass. Police reportedly were able to talk him down and took him to a local hospital on an involuntary mental commitment.

The victim told a Rainbow House interviewer that she had a crush on Abbett and that he allegedly communicated through handwritten letters and Snapchat. In one of the letters, Abbett allegedly left a code stating “I Love You,” according to court documents.

Court documents state a protection order was issued in open court on March 5th against Abbett.

Investigators attempted to speak to Abbett but he refused to communicate with detectives.

According to online records, Abbett does not have a defense attorney.