A Missouri man is facing charges of child abuse after his two-month-old daughter was found with 14 fractures throughout her body. Richard A. Leonard, 20, was arrested by the Lee’s Summit Police Department. The arrest followed a doctor’s visit where Leonard and his wife were advised to take their infant to the hospital due to visible bruising. The couple declined, prompting the doctor to report the incident to the Department of Family Services.
Police officers conducted a welfare check at the couple’s residence in Lee’s Summit, a suburb of Kansas City. The mother, holding the seemingly content child, answered the door. Later that evening, the couple took the infant to the hospital. Medical examination revealed 14 fractures on the baby’s arms, legs, ribs, and fingers, along with bruises on her shoulder, face, and back.
Initially, Leonard claimed that he had accidentally dropped the child after tripping. However, when confronted with the extent of the injuries, he changed his story, stating that he had fallen on top of her. Doctors informed the police that while some injuries could be explained by a fall, the extent and varying stages of healing of the injuries suggested a pattern of abuse.
The mother, who had been with Leonard since November 2023 and married him in May, expressed disbelief that Leonard could harm their child. She also revealed that Leonard had a history of abuse and had been placed in foster care as a child. Upon questioning, Leonard confessed to abusing the child, identified in court documents as V1.
Leonard attributed the abuse to lack of sleep, the child’s constant crying during diaper changes, and his own anger issues. He admitted to being overly forceful during dressing, swaddling, and diaper changes. He also confessed to using more force than necessary and feeling remorse when the child reacted. Leonard revealed that he had a history of pulling out his hair to cope with stress, a behavior he had recently reverted to. He also cited the stress of moving to a new home as a contributing factor.
Leonard was particularly distressed by the fact that the child would always cry when he tried to hold her. Following his confession, Leonard was arrested and taken to the Jackson County Correctional Facility. He has since posted a $50,000 bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on Monday. A judge has ordered him to have no contact with his wife or child while out on bond. The Department of Family Services has taken custody of the child.