Lee’s Summit man charged with abuse of infant daughter after doctors find 14 fractures
A Lee’s Summit man has been charged with child abuse after a doctor notified police about a 2-month-old brought into a hospital with 14 fractures, according to Jackson County Circuit Court records.
Richard A. Leonard, 20, was charged last Thursday with abuse or neglect of a child resulting in serious emotional or physical injury, online court records show.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in support of the charges, Leonard and his wife had brought their infant into a pediatrician’s office that Wednesday. The doctor saw bruises and recommended the infant be taken to a hospital. When the parents opted not to, the incident was reported, the affidavit said.
Officers conducted a welfare check at the child’s home that day at the request of the Missouri Department of Social Services Family Support Division. Officers did not find any issues at the time and observed the child content, according to the affidavit.
Then that Thursday, Children’s Mercy Hospital notified police that the child had been brought in late Wednesday night with fractures on her arms, legs, ribs and fingers. The infant also had bruises on her shoulder, face and back, the affidavit said.
The doctor told officers that the injuries were in different stages of healing and were signs of “classic abuse,” not accidents, the affidavit said.
Leonard allegedly confessed to the abuse in an interview with police. He allegedly told officers that he has anger issues and that the abuse came in the form of being too forceful during dressing, swaddling and diaper changes, the affidavit said.
Leonard was taken into custody after the interview. That Friday, Leonard posted a percentage of his bond, with $5,000 of the $50,000 bond received. He is no longer in custody.
As a condition of the bond, Leonard is not allowed to have contact with his wife or child, court records show.
Leonard was due to appear in court at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 23 for a bond review hearing in Division 32 of Jackson County Circuit Court. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 13.
This story was originally published December 21, 2024 at 1:08 PM.
