The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged a Joplin man with child abuse, a felony, and fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor, following an incident today at the Michigan Place Apartments, 1502 S. Michigan in Joplin.
Gerald Wayne Hatfield (DOB 1957) is being held in the Joplin City Jail on $50,000 bond cash or surety.
From the probable cause statement:
On today's date Joplin Police Department was dispatched to a child abuse at 1502 S Michigan Ave.Upon arrival I contacted all parties at the bus stop located on the east side of 1502 S Michigan. I
contacted Alisha Cox, Alisha stated that she was walking her child to the bus stop at approximately
0645 hours and heard screaming coming from the back of building 14.
Alisha stated that she observed a male grab Victim 1 by the throat, slam her on the ground and smack her 3 to 4 times on the left side of her face.
Alisha ran over to the male to help the child and remove her from the altercation. During that process
Alisha was grabbed by the male and shoved backwards, Alisha suffered bruising from the altercation
but was able to remove the child from the altercation.
Alisha stayed with Victim 1 until the mother arrived on scene. Alisha stated that the whole altercation
occurred in ront of a camera on the back side of the building.
I contacted the property manager and asked her to view the camera. The following is what I observed
from the camera footage:
Alisha ran over to the male to help the child and remove her from the altercation. During that process
Alisha was grabbed by the male and shoved backwards, Alisha suffered bruising from the altercation
but was able to remove the child from the altercation.
Alisha stayed with Victim 1 until the mother arrived on scene. Alisha stated that the whole altercation
occurred in ront of a camera on the back side of the building.
I contacted the property manager and asked her to view the camera. The following is what I observed
from the camera footage:
Several juveniles walk outside and stand under the little pavilion. Victim 1 is observed standing outside by the door holding her jacket, Gerald is observed walking towards the building with his dog. Gerald opens the door, stops and looks at Victim 1 for a brief moment.
Gerald then grabs Victim 1 by the neck/ throat area with his right hand, pushes her against the railing and then uses his right hand and smacks victim 1 across the left side of her face causing her to fall to the ground crying.
Alisha then breaks the altercation apart and removes the child from the male. Victim 1 suffered apparent minor injuries in the altercation at this time.
Alisha stated that she also had minor injuries at this time for the physical altercation she was in with
Gerald as well.
Gerald was interviewed at the police department by Detective David McGough. Gerald admitted he
slapped {Victim 1) for yelling. He denied grabbing her by the throat/neck area and was shown the video
where he later said he grabbed her by the chin. He admitted his behavior was not ok and wrote an
apology letter to {Victim 1}
Alisha then breaks the altercation apart and removes the child from the male. Victim 1 suffered apparent minor injuries in the altercation at this time.
Alisha stated that she also had minor injuries at this time for the physical altercation she was in with
Gerald as well.
Gerald was interviewed at the police department by Detective David McGough. Gerald admitted he
slapped {Victim 1) for yelling. He denied grabbing her by the throat/neck area and was shown the video
where he later said he grabbed her by the chin. He admitted his behavior was not ok and wrote an
apology letter to {Victim 1}
5 comments:
He wrote a what? An apology letter? Is that like a 2025 confession lol. Slick..
Yes, an apology letter written while being detained can be considered a confession, or at least a highly incriminating statement, and can be used against you in court. The legal system views voluntary statements that acknowledge wrongdoing as admissions of guilt.
His apologies mean nothing. He will do it again. Domestic violence is not okay.
Alisha is a badass. High 5! Good job Mama. It takes a village to raise these young ones and protect the young women and young men of today. It shows alot of bravery what Alisha did standing up to this piece of crap and getting involved at the right time. Always is the right time to do the right thing. Someone buy this woman drinks and dinner!
His apology will convict him, so please proceed.
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