Missouri Father Charged With Child Abuse

Richard Leonard, a 20-year-old father from Missouri, has been charged with child abuse after his 2-month-old daughter was found with 14 fractures across her body. The couple ignored a doctor’s advice to take the infant to the hospital due to significant bruising, prompting the physician to report suspected abuse to the Department of Family Services. Upon eventually taking the child to the hospital, medical professionals noted the fractures in various stages of healing and described the injuries as classic signs of abuse rather than accidents. Leonard initially claimed he tripped while holding the baby but later admitted to using excessive force during routine care. The parents have been married for a few months and recently moved to Lee's Summit, where the alleged abuse occurred. Leonard has been released on a $50,000 bond, barring him from contact with his daughter and her mother.