JOPLIN, Mo. — A family of four has been charged with child abuse after authorities allege they kept a 12-year-old girl with special needs locked inside a dog cage secured by multiple padlocks and zip ties for up to two years before she ran away from the residence.
Background
The alleged abuse came to light Sunday morning when someone inside a home on East Pool Street in Joplin, Missouri, called the Joplin Police Department to report a missing child. Officers learned that the 12-year-old girl had fled the residence and had been gone for approximately one hour. She was described as only wearing a diaper and having special needs.
Authorities located the girl after about two and a half hours. She "appeared malnourished" and was found to be only 4 feet tall and weighing approximately 50 pounds, according to Joplin Police Chief Richard Pearson, who spoke at a press conference streamed by FourStatesHomepage partner stations KSNF and KODE.
"Once you got inside, then that's when you walked into the house of horrors," Pearson said. "From the outside, there was nothing that would distinguish it from any of the other properties in the neighborhood."
Inside the home, officers found extreme filth described as "clutter, trash, food and clothing all over" making it difficult to walk. There were animals inside cages and others walking freely throughout the residence. A foul odor forced officers to step outside periodically. Garbage and dirty clothes were piled up, and animal urine and feces were found throughout the house. More than 80 animals were discovered inside, some of which were dead.
The Charges
Shane Ross, 50, Crystal Ross, 46, Hannah Ross, 25, and Megan Ross, 19, are all charged with abuse or neglect of a child causing serious emotional or physical injury, a felony. They also face misdemeanor animal neglect or abandonment charges. All four defendants are being held in Jasper County without bond.
Shane Ross told investigators the victim was his niece and had been living with the family for approximately 10 years. Outside the master bedroom, officers discovered the dog cage where the child victim "was made to sleep only in a diaper with a pillow and a blanket." Multiple pad locks and zip ties were found on the cage to prevent her from escaping.
According to court documents reviewed by Law&Crime, all defendants appeared to acknowledge that placing the child in the cage "was wrong," with Crystal Ross conceding it was likely causing emotional and mental damage. However, they allegedly reasoned their actions were necessary because the girl had threatened to kill a family member in their sleep and threatened to burn the house down.
Accounts varied, but authorities allege the child was kept in the dog cage at least during overnight hours for between one and two years. Hannah Ross and Megan Ross indicated they did not approve of the arrangement but believed it was preferable to risking harm from the victim's threats.
"One of the worst cases and incidents of child abuse that they have seen in their time," is how Chief Pearson characterized what officers encountered.
Key Takeaways
- Four family members — Shane Ross, Crystal Ross, Hannah Ross, and Megan Ross — are charged with felony child abuse or neglect causing serious emotional or physical injury
- The 12-year-old victim with special needs allegedly spent up to two years in a padlocked dog cage outside the master bedroom
- Officers discovered over 80 animals inside the East Pool Street residence, some dead, along with extreme filth and animal waste throughout the home
- Despite being 12 years old, the girl stood 4 feet tall and weighed approximately 50 pounds when found malnourished and wearing only a diaper
- All defendants are held without bond in Jasper County; preliminary arraignments were scheduled for Wednesday
What's Next
The four defendants will face preliminary court proceedings in Jasper County. The child victim is now receiving care, though authorities reported she did not appear to have visible injuries but was in unacceptable health conditions. The case remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare for upcoming hearings.