Murder charge dropped against Hayti man in Kaniah Jennings case

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo., (KBSI) — Prosecutors have dropped a murder charge against a Hayti man previously charged in connection with the kidnapping and death of Kaniah Jennings.

Pemiscot County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kenneth Ryan Dicus announced that charges against Donald Peoples, 38, have been amended following a review of the investigation.

Peoples is now charged with one count of tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

According to court documents, prosecutors allege Peoples destroyed data on a cellphone, including a text message, on or about Nov. 4, 2025, with the purpose of impairing its availability in a kidnapping investigation. The charging document alleges the action obstructed the prosecution of another individual in connection with a felony kidnapping case.

The amended charge was filed after prosecutors reviewed the full investigative file, consulted with investigators and discussed the case with the victim’s family. Dicus said the evidence was insufficient to support a murder charge against Peoples.

Keenan Peoples and Blake Patrick remain charged with first-degree murder in the case, and prosecutors continue to seek the death penalty against both defendants.

Dicus said the decision to amend the charges was necessary to ensure the constitutional rights of all parties involved are respected.

The investigation involved the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Portageville Police Department and Hayti Police Department.

Authorities emphasized that criminal charges are allegations and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.