Woman accused of trying to get child to lie to protect spouse accused of molestation

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman has been charged in Monroe County after she allegedly tried to make a child lie to authorities in order to protect her spouse who was accused of child molestation.

Jennifer Navarro, 34, of Paris, Missouri, was charged on Thursday with tampering with a victim in a felony prosecution. She is being held at the Monroe County Jail on a $50,000 bond. A bond hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Joseph Navarro, 39, of Paris, Missouri, was charged on Nov. 20 with second-degree child molestation and second-degree kidnapping. He is being held at the Monroe County Jail without bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2.

Joseph Navarro was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing the victim over the summer through October, a probable cause statement says.

The statement filed in Jennifer Navarro’s case says after law enforcement started looking for Joseph Navarro, Jennifer Navarro had apparently called him to warn him that law enforcement was looking for him.

She then allegedly repeatedly told the victim to lie to authorities and tell them the assaults were a dream, the statement says.