The remains of a missing child were discovered in Stookey Township, Illinois, days after authorities charged the boy's father with parental kidnapping and harassment, law enforcement officials announced.
Ronnell Marquese Jones, 32, and Kirstie Dora, 35, both from St. Francois County, Missouri, are being held without bond at the county jail following their arrests connected to the disappearance of the boy, whom Jones is alleged to be the biological father of.
Background
According to court documents reviewed by Law&Crime, the mother of the missing child reported her son disappeared in 2024 after Jones allegedly refused to let her see him since April of that year. The mother told investigators with the Desloge Police Department that when she last saw her son, he was inside Jones' vehicle and had several missing teeth.
Police said Jones provided investigators with multiple contradictory accounts about his son's whereabouts. In one version, Jones claimed the boy was in state custody. In another, he reportedly stated he dropped the child off at an Amish community in Mississippi where he would "go to visit him." Authorities said Jones refused to cooperate with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
Witnesses told police they had reason to believe the child was dead before any remains were discovered.
The Investigation
A warrant was issued for Jones' arrest on suspicion of parental kidnapping and harassment on June 12. He was taken into custody on June 30; Dora was arrested on identical charges July 2. Details regarding the nature of Dora's relationship with either Jones or the child were not immediately available from police.
On Thursday, Desloge police announced that human remains had been found in Stookey Township, approximately 16 miles from St. Louis, Missouri. While authorities have not officially identified the child, investigators confirmed the discovery is connected to their parental kidnapping case against Jones.
Neither Jones nor Dora has been charged in connection with the child's death as of this reporting. Court documents filed in Jones' case stated that "in light of new information," he should be held without bond pending further proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Ronnell Marquese Jones and Kirstie Dora are both jailed without bond at St. Francois County Jail on parental kidnapping and harassment charges
- The child's remains were discovered in Stookey Township, Illinois, roughly 16 miles from where both defendants reside
- Jones allegedly told police conflicting stories about his son's location, including a claim the boy was dropped off with an Amish community in Mississippi
- Neither defendant has been charged in connection with the child's death as investigators work to confirm the remains' identity
What's Next
Jones is scheduled to appear in court July 16 for further proceedings. Court scheduling information for Dora's case was not immediately available. Investigators continue working to officially identify the child found in Illinois and determine the circumstances surrounding his death.