Webb City man pleads guilty to beating, choking 4-year-old

A Webb City man who was charge with three counts of child abuse involving a 4-year-old boy, pleaded guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court.

The following news released was issued by the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office:

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney announces that James Choate has entered guilty pleas to three counts of child abuse to a four-year-old child. There is no plea agreement  between the State and the defendant. 

The defendant is pleading guilty as charged on three counts of child abuse which is a class D felony and is facing from one to seven years on each count. 

The defendant, who is represented by Mike Roberts, is scheduled to return to court on July 13, 2026, for sentencing.

Choate's crimes were detailed in the probable cause statement:

On 03/05/2025, I was notified of a potential child abuse case involving a four-year-old male child.

On that same date Victim 1, a four-year-old child, and his six-year-old brother were taken by James Choate to the home of a babysitter. 

When she saw the bruises all over the body of Victim 1, she called the police. According to the babysitter, these bruises were not present when she last saw the children on February 20, 2025.

The children were taken to the Children’s Center where it was disclosed that James Choate had beaten, choked and kicked Victim 1 causing physical injuries.

The case was investigated by the Webb City Police Department.