Man charged with felony child abuse, armed criminal action misses court appearance

Southeast Missourian

A warrant was issued Wednesday for a 34-year-old Haywood City, Mo., man charged with felony abuse of a child and felony armed criminal action when he failed to appear in Scott County circuit court Tuesday. The warrant carries a $75,000 bond.

Freddie C. Banks, of 129 Hickory St., was arrested by Scott County Sheriff's Department Dec. 13 for reportedly beating his 5-year-old daughter, causing noticeable bruises and cuts on her body, according to a Scott County Sheriff's Department release.

The probable-cause statement said Banks allegedly spanked his daughter in his residence with a leather belt, which had a large buckle on it, on or about Dec. 13. The beating caused bruising and bleeding on her legs, buttocks, lower back, left eye and abdomen. Banks reportedly told authorities that while striking the child the buckle bounced off the floor and struck her in the left eye and other parts of her body.

The child was placed in the custody of the Division of Family services, authorities said.

Lt. Jerry Bledsoe said the Division of Family Services contacted the sheriff's department Dec. 13 about the case after receiving an anonymous report on the Child Abuse Hotline.

Banks had been in custody on a $50,000 bond as of Dec. 19, when he last appeared in court. Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd and Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter were unavailable for comment Thursday to determine if Banks had been arrested on the warrant or is still at large.