Scott City woman charged with child abuse

BENTON -- A Scott City woman is in custody on charges stemming from a child abuse investigation.

According to a release from Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, Crystal Dawn Kennedy, 35, has been charged with the Class C felony of abuse or neglect of a child and the Class C felony of second degree domestic assault.

Walter states that Tuesday, at about 3:20 p.m., Deputy Danny Finley went to a residence at 2800 Woodland Drive in Scott City to follow up on a report of abuse from the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Finely conducted an investigation along with a DFS investigator and observed visible signs of injury on the head of a child living at the residence.

As a result of the investigation, Kennedy was arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail pending the filing of formal charges by the Scott County prosecutor. She refused to speak to officers regarding the matter.

Kennedy remains in custody at the Scott County Jail with bond set at $1,000 cash or surety.

Walter asks that anyone who has further information regarding this incident, or information on Kennedy, or any other crimes to contact the Scott County Sheriff's Office at 545-3525 or leave a message on the crime tip line at 1-866-210-4322.