Medical emergency causes mistrial for Joplin man charged with multiple counts of child molestation, statutory rape, sodomy

 A December 1 trial is scheduled in Jasper County Circuit Court for a Joplin man after a mistrial was declared in his case Monday.

Three days had been set aside for the trial of Daniel Franklin, 62, Joplin, who is charged with 10 felonies, including three counts of statutory rape, two counts of child molestation, two counts of statutory sodomy and single counts of statutory sodomy with more than one victim, enticement of a child and unlawful use of a weapon. 

Judge Dean Dankelson declared a mistrial when Franklin was unable to attend due to an unspecified medical emergency.

The charges involve three girls who were between the ages of 11 and 13 when the alleged crimes occurred in 2017.