Joplin woman bound over for trial on three counts of child abuse

Victoria Elizabeth Word, 32, Joplin, was bound over for trial after waiving her preliminary hearing today in Jasper County Circuit Court on three counts of child abuse.

Word's arraignment in Division 3 is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 7 before Judge David Mouton.

Word allegedly endangered three children by having them in a residence filled with cockroaches, trash and animal feces, according to documents filed January 12 in Jasper County Circuit Court.

The preliminary hearing for Word's husband, Derek L. Word, 35, who is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 1.

From the probable cause statement:

Upon my arrival, I contacted Derek Word, who was extremely intoxicated and alone with his three juvenile children, V1, V2 and V3.

Mr. Word advised his wife Victoria was supposed to be watching all three of their children while he worked a double throughout the day. Mr. Word advised at approximately 2236 hours he received a text from Victoria stating she was leaving the children alone at home to go to a marijuana dispensary.

Mr. Word arrived home at approximately 2345 hours and found the children still home alone.

Victoria contacted Mr. Word by text message and informed him that she would not be coming home and was with a male friend named Pat. Mr. Word advised that Pat was one of her "friends with benefits."

V1 is 9 years old, V2 is 2 years old and V3 is 11 years old. Mr. Word informed me that in case of an emergency none of the children have any access to a phone to reach emergency services.

It was also found that V2 was locked in her bedroom naked with her floor covered in urine and feces. The urine and feces appeared to be from V2 due to her being locked in a room without a diaper. V2's door was locked with a latch style lock that was located on the top of the door at a position only an adult could reach.

V1 and V3's room were covered in trash and cockroaches.

The rest of the residence smelled strongly of urine and feces causing a sense of nausea and disgust. 

The case was investigated by the Joplin Police Department.