Perryville couple's manslaughter, endangerment trial moved

The manslaughter and child endangerment trial of Michael and Emily Altom of Perry County will be held in Rolla, Circuit Judge William Syler ruled Friday.

The Altoms are charged with voluntary manslaughter for the death of Ethan Patrick Williams, Emily Altom's son and Michael Altom's stepson. They were arraigned Friday before Syler and entered not guilty pleas, defense attorney Allen Moss said.

The location for the trial was agreed on by Moss and Perry County Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Hoeh. No court date for the case in Phelps County has been set and no judge has been assigned to the case, Moss said.

The Altoms are charged with failing to seek prompt medical care for Ethan, 4, who died in late August. They are charged with child endangerment based on unsanitary living conditions found at their rural Perry County home when sheriff's deputies and Missouri Children's Division workers visited the home after Ethan was hospitalized.

Two other children, Holton Williams and Dorian Altom, are under the jurisdiction of the Perry County juvenile court. Emily's parents, Terri and Lynn Murray are seeking guardianship of the children. Danny Williams, Holton's father, is seeking custody of his son.

A hearing on placing the children was held Thursday, but no decision has been made.