Child abuse arrest in Newton County; Newtonia man under arrest

A child is in critical condition at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and a man from Newton County is under arrest for child abuse.

Newton County Sheriff Chris Jennings says the call on Saturday reported that there was a 9-month-old baby that was not conscious and was not breathing.

The child was transported by Emergency Medical personnel to Freeman Hospital in Joplin. The child was then transported to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City. Nursing staff with Children’s Mercy contacted the Sheriff’s Office in reference to the child’s injuries. They stated the child was in critical condition but there were noticeable injuries to the child.

Newton County Detectives served a search warrant on Sunday at 90 Spring Street in Newtonia where the child was residing.

A resident identified as 28-year-old Jordan L. Boggess of Newtonia was brought to the Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed about the injuries to the child.

Charges have been filed against Jordan Boggess for Abuse or Neglect of a Child with Serious Physical Injury.

The charge is a Class B Felony and he is currently being held without bond.

Boggers admitted that the child would not quit screaming, and he tossed the child into the air in what he said was an attempt to comfort it. However, he stated he failed to catch the child. He then admitted to “bear hugging” the child until [the child] quit screaming.

Medical personnel at Children’s Mercy told Newton County Detectives that the child had “abusive head trauma” as well as other injuries. They stated the child suffered from physical abuse. They reported the child is in critical condition and due to that it may be several weeks before the extent of injuries is fully known.