Jamesport Woman Arrested on Child Abuse Allegations

(GALLATIN, MO) – A Jamesport woman has been arrested on charges of child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child filed in Daviess County.

Charging documents allege that forty-two-year-old Natalie Murphy physically abused her adopted daughter for approximately 5 to 6 years and caused bruising multiple times by striking her with a long piece of wood.

Authorities also say the minor told Murphy that her husband and the father of the girl had been sexually abusing her, however instead of ensuring the safety of the girl and nine other children in the home, she sent the child to live with other family members and that the physical and sexual abuse continued.

A probable cause affidavit filed with the court says that Murphy has attempted to make arrangements for the girl to be moved out of the State and Country to keep her from reporting the abuse.

Murphy is set for a bond hearing next week. She is being held in the Daviess-DeKalb County Jail on a no-bond warrant. Her husband, Shaun Murphy, was charged earlier with several felonies.