Probable cause: Joplin man admitted to brutal beating that killed two-year-old Jameson Long

First degree murder charges were filed Friday against a Joplin man in connection with the abuse of two-year-old Jameson Long that led to his June 2 death.

Brian O'Grodnick, 22, was already being held on no bond in the Jasper County Jail on four counts of felony child abuse when the murder was charged. Two additional charges of child abuse have also been added.

The murder of the child is described in the probable cause statement:

On between May 30 to May 31, 2020, Brian O'Grodnick committed the offense of murder in the first degree and abuse of a child by repeatedly striking (the child) while they were living at 1920 E. 8th Street, Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

On the morning of May 31, 2020, Joplin Police were called to the residence to provide medical assistance to a non-responsive child. (The child) was transported to a local hospital and then transferred to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

Medical staff observed (the child) to have multiple bruises to his ear, scalp, face, neck, jaw, chest and abdomen. He also had a rib fracture, jaw injury, contusion to his liver and pancreas as well as brain and retinal hemorrhages. The injuries were caused by blunt force trauma.

(The child) was pronounced dead on June 2, 2020 as a result of those injuries.

In response to questioning by police, O'Grodnick admitted to repeatedly striking (the child) in the head and abdomen between May 30, 2020 and the morning of May 31, 2020.

The beatings that killed Jameson Long were the last in a long-term abuse of the child, according to the probable cause statement in O'Grodnick's earlier felony child abuse cases:

On multiple dates in 2020, Brian O'Grodnick committed the offense of abuse of a child at (an apartment) at 1920 E. 8th Street, Joplin, Jasper County, against a two-year-old child.

On April 20, 2020, O'Grodnick pinches the face of (the child) forcing the corners of his mouth to touch then shoves him by his face.

On April 21, 2020, O'Grodnick again pinches (the child's) face while forcing him to make statements then slaps him in the face.

On April 22, 2020, O'Grodnick chokes (the child) with one hand around his throat while he is made to beg for water.

Also on April 22, 2020, O'Grodnick puts his fist up to (the child's) face lightly two times then on the third time he punches (the child) in the face.

On May 1, 2020, O'Grodnick grabs (the child) by the hair and asks (him) "do you love me" then shoves him.

All of these incidents were discovered on videos on O'Grodnick's cell phone. O'Grodnick admitted to making the videos and performing the abuse against (the child) under Miranda.

In the videos, (the child) is observed to have multiple bruises and scratches on his face and chin and is crying and shaking.