The McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged a Missouri Baptist Children's Home case worker with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution of a felony, alleging that she interfered into an investigation of two juvenile girls' plot to murder their foster parents.
A warrant was sworn out today for the arrest of Emily Flatt, 27, Springfield, who allegedly withheld a letter in which the teens' step-by-step plan to kill their foster parents using Coca-Cola laced with bleach and other substances and a kitchen knife.
From the probable cause statement:
According to Chief Deputy Allison, the two alternative care case managers were to meet to pick up belongings for the children as the two juvenile females were already separated and kept from riding the bus to the residence.
Further, on November 1st, 2024, your affiant attended a conference in the McDonald County Courthouse which Emily Flatt had requested. Emily informed your affiant that {a witness} had disclosed to a case manager a plot to murder {the foster parents}.
According to Emily Flatt, the instigator of this plot was {name redacted}however the items to be used, namely a kitchen knife and bottle of Coca-Cola laced with bleach and/or other unknown substances, were to be found in {name redacted's} bedroom at the {home}.
Further, on November 1st, 2024, your affiant, executed a consent search on the {foster parents'} residence and seized a kitchen knife, concealed under a blanket in {redacted's} bedroom and the bottle of Coca-Cola from near the freezer in {her}bedroom.
Further, on November 12th, 2024, your affiant, in furtherance of this investigation, interviewed was the former foster parent of {the girl} and whom Emily Flatt called to pick {the girl up.} {She} picked up {the girl} from the McDonald County High School, where {it was disclosed) that a step-by-step plan had been written down.
{The witness} informed your affiant and on November 16th, 2024 completed a voluntary statement declaring the following, Emily [Flatt] stated "The girls wrote out a plot to murder their foster parents. {One girl} was involved and opened up the window for {the other girl} to get in. They had this step-by-step plan, please do not let her out of your site [sic]
"Further, on November 15th, 2024, your affiant along with 40th Circuit Deputy Juvenile Officer Kaylee Clay, arrived at the Missouri Baptist Children's Home Office in Springfield, Missouri where Emily Flatt is a case manager, and specifically case manager for {one of the girls} to serve an Investigative Subpoena issued under RSMo. 56.085.
After serving Emily Flatt's supervisor, we were informed that Emily Flatt was at the Greene County Courthouse on a court case connected to one of her clients. Further, on November 15th, 2024, Deputy Juvenile Officer Clay and your affiant arrived at the Greene County Courthouse and located Emily Flatt.
Your affiant informed her that he was aware of the existence of the step-by-step letter and asked if the note was in her possession to which she denied having possession.
Your affiant asked Emily if the note existed to which she denied its existence. Your affiant then confronted Emily that she had spoken to an individual in detail about the note's contents and existence to which Emily stated she "did not recall."
Determining that she appeared to be invoking her fifth amendment rights against self-incrimination, questioning immediately ceased. Deputy Juvenile Officer Clay then asked "One question, would you be willing to let her out of residential to put her in detention?" to which Emily stated, "You will need to contact her attorney."
By her own admission in the conference held on November lst, 2024, Emily was aware that {the girl} was involved and had disclosed a plot to commit premeditated murder of Emily Flatt had a legal duty to disclose to Deputy Juvenile Officer Kaylee Clay the whereabouts of {the girl} and to permit apprehension of (the girl)for further proceedings before the Court.
Further, pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure, specifically rule 22.04, your affiant states to the Court the following:
The defendant poses a danger to the community. The facts that support this belief is as follows:
Emily Flatt is employed by the Missouri Baptist Children's Home (''M.B.C.H.") as a case manager. M.B.C.H. is a contractor for the State of Missouri Children's Division in foster care services and placement of children in State custody for abuse and neglect.
An essential part of her duties is to cooperate with the Juvenile Justice authorities and the Court. By and through her course of conduct, Emily Flatt has impeded not only a law enforcement investigation but potentially endangered other children, foster care professionals, and the community.
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