Trial date set for Joplin man accused of abusing, murdering three-year-old Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey

A June 3, 2019 trial date has been scheduled for Leonard Valdez, 21, Joplin, who is charged with second degree murder and felony child abuse in connection with the November 12 death of three-year-old Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey.

Valdez pleaded not guilty during a video arraignment Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court. A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for June 11.

Jonathan Munoz-Bilbrey was taken to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City after he suffered brain injuries, facial bruising and a laceration at his home at 1502 S. Michigan Avenue November 10.

The probable cause statement indicates Valdez was the only person supervising the boy at the time the injuries occurred.

The boy died 22 days after the Joplin Police Department arrested Valdez for domestic assault at the same address, 1502 S. Michigan Avenue, where police say the child abuse took place. The victim was the boy's mother, Natasha Michelle Bilbrey, 22, according to the JPD incident report.