Children of Stoddard County murder suspect removed from home

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A judge retained jurisdiction over the young daughters of murder suspect Allen McCoy Tuesday morning and placed them with a family member, the Daily American Republic reported.

The girls, ages 7 and 5, have been in the custody of the Missouri Children's Division since June 30 when they were placed in foster care following the arrest of their father and stepmother, Allen and Angela McCoy.

The McCoys had been charged the day before with the Class A felonies of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery and two unclassified felonies of armed criminal action in connection with Aubury Lee Finch's death.

Finch, 67, was found dead inside his Bernie, Mo., home June 28 after authorities received information from witnesses indicating Allen McCoy, aka "Smurf," had told them he had stabbed the man several times, as well as robbed him.

After the McCoys' arrests on June 29, the Missouri Children's Division received a report concerning the girls and determined they were in "imminent risk of danger."

At the time the girls were removed and placed in protective custody, they reportedly were staying with their "half sibling, Lagina Bayless."

The Stoddard County Juvenile Office subsequently filed a petition on July 1 and a jurisdictional hearing was held Tuesday before Juvenile Judge Joe Satterfield on the petition.

Chief Juvenile Officer Michael Davis asked Satterfield to "take judicial notice" of Allen McCoy's criminal file, as well as the fact Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner was prepared to testify the 35-year-old is incarcerated in the Stoddard County Jail.

Davis's only witness was Whitney Uhrhan, a case manager for the Stoddard County Children's Division.

Uhrhan confirmed the children are in the "legal care and custody" of the Children's Division and in foster care.

When asked about the whereabouts of the girls' mother, Becky Cox, Uhrhan said, her last known address was in St. Louis.

Uhrhan also confirmed there has been no communication with Cox and no family treatment plan is in place.

In regard to Allen McCoy, Uhrhan said, a family treatment plan could be provided, but one has not been at this time.

When Davis asked what the "case goal" was for the children, Uhrhan said, one "has not been set at this time."

Uhrhan said it was the recommendation of the Children's Division for the children to be placed with Bayless and John Kirkman, with Children's Division personnel supervising the placement.

Future placement "depends on the criminal matter," Uhrhan said.

The children's guardian ad litem, Dexter attorney Robin Northern, asked if the girls would have their own room while staying with Bayless and Kirkman.

Uhrhan confirmed they would and that the girls have stayed with Bayless, who also is Allen McCoy's daughter, for periods of time.

Northern also questioned whether Allen McCoy was in agreement with the recommendation.

"I believe the father is in agreement with the placement," Uhrhan said.

"(Bayless and Kirkman) are aware this could be a long-term placement?" Davis asked.

Uhrhan answered affirmatively, as she did when Davis asked if Bayless and Kirkman realized the girls "might not be able to return" to their father should he be convicted of the charges against him.

"They were made aware it's a long-term placement," Uhrhan said.

Before making his ruling, Satterfield asked if Bayless and Kirkman's residence could accommodate the girls and whether they had been involved in the girls' lives in regard to doctor's appointments and school.

"The children already have a room provided at the home," Uhrhan said. " ... I'm aware they have been involved with school."

Davis provided the court with a letter from the Children's Division, as well as a home study completed for Bayless and Kirkman.

In her letter, Uhrhan said, it would be contrary to the welfare of the children to remain in the custody of Allen McCoy and would be in the best of interest of the children to remain in the custody of the Stoddard County Children's Division because:

* The children were removed on an emergency basis;

* The father was arrested on criminal charges; and

* The mother's whereabouts are unknown at this time.

Satterfield took notice of both and included them in the court file.

"The court will exercise jurisdiction given the circumstances of the father at this time" and based on the agreement grants placement at this time, Satterfield said.

Northern reiterated it was her understanding the girls would have a room of their own and already sometimes lived there.

"I would like to see the placement ... and services be made available to help (Bayless and Kirkman) care for two extra children," Northern said.

Satterfield also asked Allen McCoy his opinion of the agreement. His response was: "Do it."

"The court assumes jurisdiction" over the children and follows the recommendation of the Children's Division for a kinship placement, Satterfield said.

At conclusion of the juvenile court hearing, as officers were escorting Allen McCoy from the courtroom, he turned to family members in the audience and reportedly said: "He (apparently indicating Finch) got what he deserved."