Mother-Son Duo Arrested Following Hospital Bomb Threat

A mother and son have been arrested following a bomb threat at Cox Barton County Hospital.

The Barton County 911 Center was notified of the bomb threat Wednesday afternoon. The Lamar Police Department responded along with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Barton County Sheriff’s Department.

The entire hospital was quickly evacuated by the Barton County Ambulance District, with assistance from the Vernon County Ambulance District, Crawford County Ambulance, and Joplin METS.

Cox staff and Security along with law enforcement and the Lamar Fire Department conducted a search of the building. No suspicious items or explosive devices were found.

Police were able to trace the call and arrested 40-year-old Jason Gates and 61-year-old Terrie Walker of Lamar during a traffic stop. They’re both charged with making terroristic threats.The mom and son are held in the Barton
County Jail.

Police are not yet commenting on why the threat was made.

The investigation is on-going.

KZRG will keep you updated on this developing story.