Region briefs 12/21/06

Man suspected of child abuse still in custody

BENTON, Mo. -- A 34-year-old Haywood City, Mo., man was still in Scott County Jail on Wednesday on a $50,000 bond charged with felony abuse of a child and felony armed criminal action. 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 with a belt and belt buckle. According to the probable-cause statement, 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, a Scott County Sheriff's news release said Dec. 15. Sgt. 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' arraignment in Scott County circuit court Tuesday was continued until Jan. 23.

Illinois man pleads not guilty in shooting case

A Mounds, Ill., man pleaded not guilty to felony charges of first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon Tuesday in Cape Girardeau circuit court. David McElrath, 20, is accused of shooting a Southeast Missouri State University student Nov. 16, according to a probable-cause statement. McElrath stated in the affidavit that at about 1 a.m. he was involved in a fight in the parking lot of the Rhodes 101 Stop at 1126 N. Sprigg St. when he pulled out a 9 mm Ruger handgun from his pants waistband and fired three shots at student William Harvey. One of the bullets hit Harvey in the lower torso causing injury, the report said. Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said witnesses and a Cape Girardeau police officer testified to the events and the investigation in court Tuesday. McElrath's case review is scheduled for Jan. 8.

Case review set for teen accused of stealing

A Cape Girardeau teen charged with felony stealing, burglary and property damage will next appear in Cape Girardeau circuit court Jan. 8 for a case review. Kyle W. Madden, 17, of 535 Asher St., was arrested Sept. 1 after police reportedly found him using a pickax to hammer at a motorized drive-through teller drawer at the Commercial Bank, 1880 Cape La Croix Road. Along with breaking the glass door of the bank and taking the teller drawer, Madden is accused of stealing a Union Pacific truck that was found at the scene.

-- From staff reports