MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. — A Mountain Grove woman faces a misdemeanor child endangerment charge after authorities discovered allegedly unsanitary living conditions and unsafe medication storage during an investigation involving two young children.
Katie Renee Russom has been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor, in Wright County Associate Circuit Court.
According to a probable cause statement filed Nov. 12 by Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy Wyatt Kinser, the investigation began Oct. 30 after authorities received a report from the Missouri Children’s Division concerning conditions at a residence in Mountain Grove.
The report alleged that the home was unfit for children, that the children’s hygiene was not being properly maintained and that an 8-year-old girl had been playing with a razor blade without supervision, resulting in a cut.
The report also alleged that a 6-year-old boy was not properly supervised while taking prescription medication and had access to pills stored underneath his bed, including a prescription narcotic.
Kinser and a Children’s Division investigator responded to the residence, where they reportedly detected a strong, unpleasant odor upon approaching the front door. According to the statement, the walkway outside was covered with rotting pumpkins and animal feces.
During questioning, Russom allegedly acknowledged giving her son prescription medication without confirming that he had taken it. She also reportedly admitted that one of the medications was a prescription narcotic and that she had begun checking whether the child placed the pills in his mouth but did not ensure he swallowed them.
Kinser noted that taking more than the prescribed amount of the medication could result in serious physical injury or death.
According to the statement, Russom also acknowledged that her dog frequently urinated inside the residence.
During a walkthrough, investigators reportedly observed urine-stained floors, clutter, debris and animal waste throughout the home. The children’s bedroom was described as extremely cluttered, and the downstairs floor was reportedly covered with dog and cat feces.
Investigators also reported that the children were sleeping in Russom’s bed rather than in their own rooms.
According to the probable cause statement, Russom attempted to justify the living conditions during the walkthrough.
Following the investigation, Kinser determined that the home did not provide a safe environment for the children. Both children were subsequently placed in state custody.
Court records show that Russom was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the Oct. 30 incident. The case was filed as 26WR-CR00566 in Wright County Associate Circuit Court.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
