Staff sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood indicted, accused of killing toddler

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KMIZ)

A U.S. Army staff sergeant stationed at the Fort Leonard Wood military base has been indicted by a federal grand jury after he was accused for killing a 2-year-old, according to a press release from the Department of Justice..

Kevin Long, 40, was charged Tuesday in a two-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield. He remains in federal custody and has a hearing Thursday, the release states.

The federal indictment alleges Long killed the child by blunt force. The child was being cared for by Long and his wife in a daycare she operated out of their home on Fort Leonard Wood.

Under federal law, murder committed in the perpetration of child abuse is first-degree murder. He also is charged with one count of making a false statement, according to the release.