Woman from Stone County who kept her son in a cage sentenced

Springfield station KY3 is reporting today that a woman from Stone County, Missouri who kept her 4-year-old-son in a cage has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

26-year-old Dessa Barton pleaded guilty to felony abuse or neglect of a child.

The child had to be airlifted to a Kansas City hospital after being discovered by authorities in late 2020.

According to healthcare workers, the boy was suffering from severe malnutrition and other injuries consistent with physical abuse. Police say he had spent long periods of time in a wooden crate made out of pallets.

The KY3 story says 52-year-old Richard Hilliker has already pleaded guilty to child endangerment charges.

Two other men will go on trial later this year.