Excelsior Springs business owner Melynda Casey, 47, of Polo, Mo., is facing a felony charge of abuse or neglect of a child. 

According to the probable cause statement written by Ray County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) Detective Celeste Kaiser, Casey stated she had last seen her daughter (MRS) on June 12, just after midnight after arguing with her regarding food being snuck into her room. MRS told Casey she was going to run away. 

On June 13, Kaiser met with Adriana Segar, who is the sister of MRS, about the whereabouts of the missing juvenile. Segar stated she did not have a relationship with Casey due to abuse. 

The probable cause statement reads, “I asked Segar if she ever observed Casey abusing MRS or MS and Segar advised she could provide me with specifics. Segar stated on one occasion MS forgot to tell Casey they were out of dog food and Casey grabbed MS by her hair, threw her to the ground and began kicking her in the stomach repeatedly. Segar stated, ‘I was crying, telling her to stop. I couldn't even tell you how many times she was kicking her, hitting her in the face.’ Segar stated she had observed Casey choke MS and throw her to the ground. Segar stated she believed MRS got more of the mental abuse and Casey would tell her things like, ‘You’re stupid, you’re never going to be anything.’

“Segar stated the worst abuse she remembers was when MRS and MS were being potty trained. Caset would kick Segar out of the house and Segar could hear the screaming and loud banging from inside the residence. Segar stated she was teaching MRS her alphabet and Casey had a belt that had metal pieces up and down it. Anytime MRS got the alphabet wrong, Casey would beat MRS in her foot. Segar stated the next day, MRS’ foot was so swollen that she could not fit into her shoes. Segar advised me of another incident and stated that when the other children were at school and Casey was at work, Casey would lock MRS and MS in the basement with a small TV and a plastic toilet and they were left alone there. When everyone returned home, Casey would let them out of the basement.”

On June 13, MRS was located at Walmart in Richmond and was transported to Synergy Services. In an emergency forensic interview by Rachel Field, MRS disclosed that she ran away after an argument with Casey over electronic chargers. According to reports, Casey was allegedly upset and asked MRS where she placed the chargers, to which MRS replied they were in the kitchen.

“Casey told MRS she was not allowed to be in the kitchen and made statements such as, ‘You’re not supposed to be upstairs with the family, you’re supposed to be downstairs.’ MRS began hysterically crying during the portion of this interview and stated that ‘DFS’ had been involved with the family in the past and Casey blamed it on MRS,” the probable cause statement reads. 

According to reports, on June 10, MRS stated she was bathing a dog and did not turn on a certain fan which allegedly upset Casey. Casey pulled MRS’ hair and told her to go sit by the steps. MRS said Casey then went to the kitchen and got a pair of scissors, cut off a chunk of her hair and threw it at her. 

The probable cause statement continued, “Casey then began going to MRS room and MRS advised her she had com chips behind her mirror which Casey responded, ’You are sneaking them?’ MRS stated Casey then grabbed MRS’ hair, ‘She pulled it, yanked it’ and slammed MRS to the ground.

“MRS stated Casey grabbed her nose and pulled up, placing her fingers in her nostrils, causing her nose to bleed and began shoving the corn chips in her face. MRS stated Casey spit in MRS face and began questioning her stating, ‘Where did you get this?’ MRS stated that Casey was holding her head down, stomping on MRS which caused MRS to have a ‘big headache.’ During this altercation, MRS stated she got skin ripped from her pinky finger, a knot on her head, and scratches on her face. MRS showed Forensic Interviewer Rachel Field where the scratches were on her face and MRS stated that Casey had grabbed MRS face and stated, ‘I want to hurt you so bad, but I can't.’

“MRS stated that during these events, Casey made statements such as ‘This is why you're not allowed upstairs with the family. This is why the bables don't care about you. This is why the whole family hates you,’" according to the probable cause statement.

Reports noted that after the interview, MRS was transported to Children's Mercy Hospital where she was evaluated and released to the care of her father. 

Detective Kaiser obtained documentation from Childrens Mercy Hospital that included photographs of the bruising on MRS. The hospital notes indicated MRS had bruising on her left elbow and an area of swelling on her scalp. 

Detective Kaiser, Lieutenant Andrea McElroy and Children’s Division Worker Karen Schachtele interviewed Casey at Ray County Sheriff’s Office. Casey refused to repeat the story of what occurred from the beginning and denied all allegations of abuse or threatening MRS, according to the probable cause statement. Casey was placed on a 24-hour hold, pending formal charges for child abuse. 

It is believed by Detective Kaiser that probable cause existed to charge Casey with abuse or neglect of a child, no sexual contact, due to cause of pulling MRS by her hair, cutting a piece of her hair off, throwing a nail Drexel at MRS, spitting in MRS’ face, causing MRS’ nose to bleed, stomping on MRS and throwing her to the ground, resulting to swelling on MRS’ scalp and bruising on her left elbow. Due to the physical and mental abuse inflicted upon MRS by Casey, MRS fled her home on foot and was missing for approximately 37 hours, the report states. 

All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The Excelsior Springs Standard will continue coverage of this ongoing case.