Linn County teen died from ‘multiple dog bite injuries,’ according to KCK police
A 13-year-old boy found dead in a Bates County, Missouri, creek bed on Dec. 22 died from “multiple dog bite injuries,” authorities say.
An autopsy performed by the Wyandotte County Kansas Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death for Airen Andula of Pleasanton, Kansas.
Damon Leonard, 47, also from Pleasanton, Kansas, faces abandonment of a corpse charges in Bates County relating to the teenager’s death. In Linn County, he faces charges of interfering with law enforcement, criminal desecration and having a vicious dog at large.
Kansas City, Kansas police previously seized multiple dogs from Leonard’s property in Pleasanton, according to KCKPD spokesperson Nancy Chartrand.
Leonard is being held in the Bates County jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond. He pleaded not guilty after his arraignment, and is set to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Jan. 15.
KCKPD has taken on the case, as Leonard has relatives who have worked for both Linn County and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Airen was reported missing around 8 a.m. on Dec. 21 in the Holiday Lakes community near Pleasanton. After a large-scale search, the boy was found dead in a Bates County creek bed on Dec. 22.
Leonard allegedly called the Bates County Sheriff’s Office and told officials the boy was dead and led deputies to his body, according to court records.
Anyone with information regarding Airen’s death is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 816-474-TIPS (8477) or online at KCcrimestoppers.com.
Airen’s memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, according to his obituary.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Airen’s family to aid in funeral arrangements, transportation and counseling for Airen’s family.
The Star’s Kendrick Calfee, PJ Green and Laura Bauer contributed reporting.
This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 6:02 PM.
