Dexter man charged after infant found with injuries consistent with child abuse

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

DEXTER, Mo., (KBSI) – A four-month-old child is receiving treatment after investigators say the infant was found with injuries consistent with child abuse.

According to the Dexter Police Department, officers began investigating after receiving a report through the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline involving the infant.

During the investigation, officers discovered injuries they said were consistent with child abuse. The child was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, where medical personnel identified additional injuries that investigators said raised concerns, they were non-accidental.

Because of the severity of the child’s condition, the infant was placed into protective custody and later airlifted to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis for additional treatment.

Following the investigation, Detective Capt. Cory Mills requested criminal charges against Nathaniel C. Thurston, 32, of Dexter.

According to the Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Thurston is charged with:

Abuse or neglect of a child resulting in serious emotional or physical injury, a Class B felony.
First-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs, a Class D felony.

Thurston was arrested and is being held at the Stoddard County Jail without bond.

The investigation remains ongoing.