Bond denied in alleged child molestation case

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

A Cassville woman has been arrested after being charged with three felonies relating to alleged sex crimes.

Makensie Koehler, 32, of Cassville, is charged with first-degree child molestation, possession of child pornography and incest.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Det. Abby Parsons, with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, on March 18, an investigation was initiated into Koehler for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a juvenile.

On April 26, authorities were granted a warrant for Koehler’s Snapchat account, and a secure link of the profile’s content was delivered to Parsons on May 13. The content was put on a 32 GB SD card and, on May 14, taken to Det. James Smith, with the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and Cassville Police Department, who investigates internet sex crimes.

On May 16, Smith advised Parsons he had located alleged child sexual abuse material on the account. The eight images uploaded on at least four different dates depicted child nudity of another juvenile who is under the age of 14. One of the photos depicted a stimulation device against the victim.

The nature of the images and Koehler’s relationship to the victim constitutes an aggravated sexual offense, Parsons said in the statement.

A warrant for Koehler’s arrest was issued on May 24, and she turned herself in at the Barry County Judicial Center on Tuesday.

She is being held in the Barry County jail on no bond. Judge Robert Foulke has recused himself from the case, and Judge David Cole has assigned the case to Judge Matt Selby. 

Attorney John Lewright has filed an entry of appearance on Koehler’s behalf on Wednesday. No further court date has been set.

Koehler is a former employee of the Cassville school district. Her resignation from middle school special education aide, effective March 25 after her last day worked was March 21, was accepted at the April 11 school board meeting.