Destiny Randle and Moses Bass could face life in prison after their three-year-old son fell through a window and plunged eight stories to his death.
The couple has been charged with endangering the welfare of their child after the boy was found on the ground outside an apartment complex in Independence, Missouri.
Randle and Bass appeared in court this week (Thursday AEST), where it was revealed that there were known issues with the window from which the boy fell.
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The couple is in jail, charged with endangering the welfare of their child. They made their first court appearance yesterday.
According to detectives, Bass told them he was taking the family dog out when the incident occurred.
Randle said she woke at 10am and upon checking her children, discovered that one was missing.
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Neighbours reported to police that toys belonging to the children had been thrown out of the window on several occasions.
When first responders arrived, they found the boy’s body on the ground next to some of the toys.
Despite efforts to save him, paramedics rushed the child to two different hospitals, but he succumbed to his injuries.
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Dr Kristina Jones, a representative from the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), emphasised the importance of adequate supervision for young children.
“Adequate supervision is really important for young children of all ages,” Jones said. “That could have been really helpful in this situation, assessing dangers in the home that sometimes we just don’t even think about.”
Jones noted that maltreatment or neglect often occurred unintentionally and hoped that such tragic stories prompted parents to reflect on their practices.
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“Be mindful of the kids around us in our community,” she urged. “You know, we’re all really responsible for each other.”
A city spokesperson revealed that the apartment building, constructed in 1963, had not been fully remodelled in more than 25 years.
Court documents say police discovered that another child in the home had marks on his arms and legs, with Bass admitting to using a belt on the children.
The next court hearing for Randle and Bass is scheduled for August 6.
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