Friday, November 09, 2007

Arrests made in Rowan Ford murder

Two people have been arrested for the murder and kidnapping of Rowan Ford, 9, Stella. Rowan's body was found this morning in McDonald County. According to Sheriff Ken Copeland, she was kidnapped from Newton County, murdered in Barry County, and then taken to McDonald County.
Though Copeland did not name those arrests, it appears that one of those arrested is Rowan's stepfather, David Spears, 24. KSNF reported moments ago that Spears' mother said Spears went to the Newton County sheriff's office to be interviewed and has not returned.

From Todd Higdon's article in the Neosho Daily News:

"A couple of hours ago, our investigation led us to Wheaton, which is in Barry County," Copeland said during an 8 p.m. Friday press conference outside the Newton County Jail. "At that time through the investigation, a Wheaton man was arrested - arrested on probable cause by Barry County for the murder of Rowan Ford.

"The FBI was requested by (Barry County) to also process the crime scene, near Wheaton," added Copeland. "Through our continued investigation later (Friday) evening, we do have one male subject here at the Newton County Sheriff's Department at this time. We had called for Barry County authorities to come over. I am sure that he will be arrested here in a few minutes, also probable cause for the murder of Rowan Ford."


From KSPR in Springfield's coverage:

One of the arrests occured in Barry County after one man turned himself in. The father of that man told KSPR that his son turned himself in earlier this evening. Copeland said another man was waiting in the Newton County Jail to be picked up by Barry County deputies. The Associated Press reported that one of the men is 24 years old, the other is "about the same age."

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It would be great if someone mailed a map to the Springfield stations so they would realize that Newton county is not in their area. Joplin media can handle their own stories.

Anonymous said...

But not very well.

Anonymous said...

Springfield is involved only because unfortunetly it is a big story.
If these guys are guilty lets just do whatever they did to that poor little girl.

Anonymous said...

these two horrible men should be put on death row but not for long.

Anonymous said...

The Joplin and Neosho press stink and never cover the news truthfully.