Globe confirms stepfather under arrest for Rowan Ford's murder

David W. Spears, the stepfather of nine-year-old murder victim Rowan Ford, is being held in the Newton County Jail after being arrested for kidnapping, according to a story just published online by the Joplin Globe:

The Barry County sheriff did not return phone calls seeking identification of the suspects, but a news release from the Barry County Sheriff’s Department identified the girl’s stepfather, David Spears, 24, as the suspect who was in custody in Newton County on Friday night and was expected to be charged in Barry County. The Globe has learned that Spears’ friend, Chris Collins, 32, of Wheaton, is the man under arrest in Barry County.

Copeland said kidnapping charges are likely to be filed in Newton County, but the girl’s murder was committed in Barry County and will be prosecuted there.