Four arrested in horrific child abuse, animal neglect case in Joplin

A 12-year-old girl with autism weighed 50 pounds, had not attended school for at least five years and was allegedly locked inside a padlocked dog kennel nearly every night for as long as two years.

The probable cause statements provide a more disturbing account of the conditions allegedly discovered after the girl left her Joplin home Sunday morning.

Her disappearance prompted a large search before officers found her near Main and B streets.

The girl’s adoptive parents, Crystal Ross, 46, and Shane Ross, 50, and her adult adoptive sisters, Hannah Ross, 25, and Megan Ross, 19, remain jailed without bond.

Shane and Crystal Ross are each charged with two counts of abuse or neglect of a child involving serious physical or emotional injury — one Class A felony and one Class B felony — along with misdemeanor animal neglect or abandonment.

Megan Ross faces two child abuse or neglect counts and one animal neglect or abandonment count. Hannah Ross is charged with one Class A felony count of child abuse or neglect and misdemeanor animal neglect or abandonment.

The girl is not being identified because she is a juvenile victim.

Girl allegedly locked inside reinforced kennel

According to the documents, officers found a large wire dog kennel in a hallway outside the adoptive parents’ bedroom. Two padlocks and several zip ties allegedly reinforced the kennel to prevent the girl from escaping.

Investigators reported finding soiled diapers inside. The girl allegedly slept there wearing only a diaper and was given a pillow and blanket.

Crystal Ross allegedly told police the girl had slept in the kennel for nearly one year. Other family members said it had been closer to two years.

Shane Ross allegedly acknowledged that the girl was locked inside the kennel overnight, during some evenings and when he and Crystal left the house. He reportedly told investigators he knew it was wrong but believed the family needed to do it so they could sleep.

Hannah Ross allegedly admitted sometimes locking her sister inside the kennel and said it happened nearly every night for one or two years. Megan Ross reportedly acknowledged placing her sister inside the kennel on several occasions.

All four adults cited the girl’s behavioral and mental health conditions as the reason for using the kennel, according to investigators. They described past threats by the girl against family members and the home.

The court documents allege the family had been advised that the girl needed professional residential care and had opportunities to place her in a facility but did not follow through.

Crystal Ross allegedly told investigators she believed she could provide better care at home. Shane Ross reportedly said the family had sought assistance but abandoned one possible placement after a facility asked whether they would want the girl returned.

Court documents allege prolonged isolation

Investigators said the girl stood approximately 4 feet tall and weighed about 50 pounds when authorities found her.

The probable cause statement involving Crystal Ross alleges the girl had not attended school for at least five years and was rarely taken outside the home because of what the family called behavioral outbursts.

Several neighbors reportedly told investigators they did not know a young child lived at the residence.

Joplin Police Chief Richard Pearson previously said officers found the girl malnourished but without visible injuries. She received medical attention and was placed in protective custody.

“No child in this community should ever suffer without appropriate medical support, proper nutrition or without the other means of support that their families are supposed to offer,” Pearson said during a police news conference.

Officers wore masks inside home

The affidavits describe trash, spoiled food, clothing and animal waste covering the approximately 1,300-square-foot home. Investigators said the clutter made it difficult or impossible to use some hallways and stairways.

Officers allegedly had to squeeze through a gap approximately 7 inches wide between a large hutch and a wall to reach the kennel.

Investigators reported being overwhelmed by the smell of animals, ammonia and cat urine upon entering. Some officers reportedly stepped outside because of the odor, while investigators wore masks inside the residence.

Police allegedly found food waste and trash covering the kitchen counters, trash filling the bathroom and a live chicken running inside the shower. The basement stairs were partially blocked by animal cages, trash bags and other items.

The back door the girl reportedly used to escape was obstructed by discarded items, fencing and a small children’s pool. Investigators said she would have needed to climb over those objects to get outside, creating an additional risk of injury.

“When you got inside, then that’s when you walked into the house of horrors,” Pearson said.

Dozens of animals removed

Investigators reported finding dozens of animals inside and outside the home, many allegedly without adequate food, clean water or shelter.

One dog was reportedly confined in a cage with severely matted hair, no water and feces and urine inside its feeding bowl. Fecal matter was allegedly smeared across the kennel. Outdoor water buckets reportedly contained algae.

The court documents state that 83 living animals were removed, although their itemized list accounts for 79: five dogs, 19 cats, 44 chickens, one pig, one quail, one duck, three rabbits, three tortoises and two turtles.

The affidavits also report five dead animals, including one that was too decomposed to identify. Police previously reported finding approximately 80 living animals and six dead poultry. Authorities have not explained the differences between those totals.

The surviving animals were surrendered and taken to the Joplin Humane Society. City officials said the residents lacked required permits for the poultry and pig and were also cited for animal ordinance violations.

Investigation remains open

The case began when police were called at 7:57 a.m. Sunday, approximately one hour after the girl reportedly left the home wearing only a diaper.

More than 50 people helped search, including off-duty police officers, firefighters, ambulance personnel, sheriff’s deputies, railroad workers and members of the public. The girl was found at about 10:20 a.m., following a search lasting approximately two and a half hours.

Police have described the investigation as active and said additional charges remain possible.

The allegations contained in probable cause statements have not been proven in court. All four defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.

Anyone with information is asked to call Joplin police at 417-623-3131.