Camden County man accused of causing serious injuries in domestic assault
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Macks Creek, Missouri, man was charged last week with four felonies on allegations that he severely abused a child, putting the victim in critical condition.
Joshua D. Taylor was charged Saturday with first-degree domestic assault, child abuse, child endangerment and felony kidnapping by the Camden County prosecuting attorney. An initial hearing was set for Tuesday morning.
A detective wrote in a heavily redacted probable cause statement that deputies were called Nov. 28 to Mercy Hospital in Springfield on a report of a child that had been hurt in a fall from a tree outside a Camden County residence.
The injuries included a scalp laceration, broken vertebra, bruises in various stages of healing and burns on the upper body, according to the statement. Taylor had attempted to stitch up the scalp laceration, the statement says.
Medical staff determined the injuries didn't match a fall from a tree. The child was admitted to the hospital intensive care unit.
A witness and text messages showed investigators that Taylor had abused the child, including by pouring boiling water on them and poking them with a hot poker. Investigators also obtained a flash drive with a video showing Taylor threatening the victim, according to the statement. It was reviewed last week, leading to his arrest.
