Missouri – A Missouri woman is now facing serious allegations following her arrest earlier this week. The 70-year-old woman is now charged with felony counts of chiId abuse, negIect, and endangerment, Her case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the accusations and her history as a fosster and ad0ptive parent. A deputy from the sheriff’s office, who was serving as a school resource officer in Missouri, started looking into the girl’s repeated absences from school. During the investigation, the deputy was informed of a rumor suggesting that the girl had been traded for an animal to someone in Texas.
As a result, a missing child report was filed by the school. The deputy then reached out to authorities in Texas to conduct a welfare check on the girl. Child welfare officials in Texas located her and placed her into protective custody. According to the authorities, the girl is currently thriving in a group home.
Over more than a decade, the 70-year-old woman, Brennda, has fostered or adopted approximately two hundred children.However, recent investigations have uncovered troubling reports of abuse and neglect. A minor girl, 16, under her care reported severe physicaI abuse, including being struck with a paddIe, wooden trim, shoes, and an open hand.
The situation escalated when, in November last year, the woman arranged for the girl, who was not identified due to her age, to stay with a friend in Texas. The girl was left alone in unsanitary conditions, surrounded by animals and faced inadequate supervision. The adoptive parent allegedly informed her friend that they could keep the girl, but she would retain the financial support associated with her care.
The case came to light in February 2025 when a school resource officer investigated the girl’s prolonged absence from school. Rumors surfaced about the alleged trade, prompting authorities to act. The teenager was located in Texas and placed into protective custody. She is currently residing in a group home and is reportedly doing well.
The girl said the woman she was staying with in Texas worked out of town and left her for days at a time to take care of her animals. The victim whose age wasn’t released said she wasn’t subjected to forced labour or se-ual abuse.
Authorities in Missouri emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with authorities treating the allegations with utmost seriousness due to potential human trafficking implications. The elderly parent remains incarcerated in the county jail on a $250,000 bond, with her next court appearance scheduled for April 15, 2025.
This case has prompted further scrutiny, revealing approximately 250 calls to Missouri’s child abuse hotline over the past 15 years concerning the parent’s household. Despite these reports, no prior criminal actions were taken. Authorities are now examining possible systemic failures and considering additional charges as the investigation unfolds.