Probable cause: Joplin woman kidnapped, assaulted 17-year-old girl for sleeping with her boyfriend

Kidnapping and assault charges have been filed against a Joplin woman who allegedly was angered because a 17-year-old girl was sleeping with her boyfriend and not only kidnapped her once, but also did so the next day.

The probable cause statement alleges Hannah Michelle Higginbotham (DOB 1997) not only beat the 17-year-old with brass knuckles, tasered her and tied her hands with green rope, but also gave her cash and some clothes.

From the probable cause statement:

A report of kidnapping and assault was reported to have occurred at a residence in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri around the dates of 09/08/2023 and 09/09/2023. Victim is a 17-year-old juvenile. Victim states that she was at another residence in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri with her boyfriend when Hannah Higginbotham came to that residence. 

Victim states Higgenbotham was angry at her for sleeping with her boyfriend and for allegedly “snitching” on another male. Victim states there were two separate incidents that occurred where Hannah Higginbotham assaulted her. 

First reported assault victim states Higginbotham came to the residence where she was staying, which would be in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. Victim states Higginbotham grabbed her by the back of the neck, squeezed her neck hard, leaving marks, escorted her out of the residence, and placed her into a red Honda. 

Victim states Higginbotham and another female took her to another residence in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri with the intent to assault her, then to a fast food restaurant in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri, ordered food, went to a location near Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri (victim states Higginbotham hit her on her face a couple of times with her hands), took the victim to where Higginbotham stays in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri, gave her clothes and some cash, then dropped her off where she was originally staying. 

Victim stated while at the Webb City, Missouri location Higginbotham gained access to a breaker bar and threatened to break her hands. 

The second reported assault (occurred the next day) victim states that Higginbotham picked her up from where she was staying at in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri with her boyfriend and was supposed to take her home, back to an address in McDonald County, Missouri. 

Victim states Higginbotham instead took her to where she stays in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. Victim states that while inside the residence Higginbotham became angry with her and hit her on her face a couple of times with her hands. 

Victim states that Higginbotham retrieved a taser and was trying to use it on her. Victim tried to get away, so Higginbotham used “green rope” and tied victim’s hands behind her back. Victim states Higginbotham then retrieved a knife but told her she wasn’t going to stab her. 

Victim states that Higginbotham grabbed her by the hair, tased her causing the victim to fall into a lamp. The lamp had broken when it hit the floor, victim later fell on the broken lamp and cut her knee causing her to later have to go to the hospital and get 17 stitches. 

Victim stated Higginbotham made her go to her knees and beg for her life. Victim states Higginbotham called her boyfriend and asked the victim to apologize to him, if it wasn’t sincere then she would hit her. The call was made, boyfriend said it wasn’t sincere. 

Higginbotham told the victim she was going to call her boyfriend three times, if he didn’t answer she was going to hit her. Victim states that he didn’t answer the phone and (she) was struck by Higginbotham on the face while Higginbotham was wearing brass knuckles. 

A search warrant was obtained for the address in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri where the assault was reported to have occurred. Found inside the residence was green rope, and a stun gun. The victim had drawn a diagram of the living room from memory, that was extremely similar to the front room area of the residence. 

Higginbotham was contacted leaving the residence where the assault occurred, driving a red Hyundai passenger vehicle. Higginbotham was arrested for Kidnapping 2nd Degree and Assault 2 nd Degree. After advising her of her Miranda Rights Higginbotham at first told me she didn’t know the victim, then recanted and said she did know the victim. 

Higginbotham told me during the interview that she did pick the victim up at the residence where she was staying, did take her to a fast-food restaurant, and did purchase food for her. Higginbotham also stated she had taken the victim to an address near Webb City, Missouri, and had taken the victim to where she was staying, same location the second assault occurred. 

Victim states Higginbotham forcibly removed her from a residence in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri, placed her in a vehicle (specifically a red Honda), and transported her away from that residence. Victim states during the first assault Higginbotham struck her on the face with her hands. Victim states during the second assault the next day, Higginbotham used “green rope” which was found at the residence, tased her (found at the residence), and used brass knuckles to hit her on her face. Higginbotham was wearing the same green rope found in the residence as a belt when arrested.

A warrant has been issued for Higginbotham's arrest with no bond.

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