A brother and sister are facing five felony charges each relating to an alleged assault in the Cassville area on Aug. 6 where a juvenile sustained injuries from a shotgun as a result of the incident.
Dakota Cape, born 1998, of Cassville, is charged with first-degree assault (equal to attempted murder in Missouri), two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree property damage and misdemeanor first-degree trespassing.
Bonnie Cape, born 1994, of Cassville, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree burglary, second-degree attempted arson and first-degree property damage.
According to probable cause statements filed by Deputy Camden Roller, with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, authorities were dispatched to the area of Cassville on Aug. 6 at about 10:29 p.m in reference to property damage.
Upon arrival, Roller made contact with the victim, who stated he had fallen asleep in his truck because he was tired when Dakota Cape had allegedly drove through his open gate to his field and began ramming the vehicle. The victim said he was able to start the vehicle and put it in gear to get away from Cape.
Bonnie Cape said Dakota Cape had driven her and two juveniles to the location and allegedly began ramming the victim’s vehicle with her and the juveniles inside. She exited the vehicle due to it getting stuck and began running to the victim’s residence.
The victim, having eluded Dakota Cape vehicle, drove to the house and said he saw Bonnie Cape allegedly breaking windows out of a shop building.
She then allegedly yelled to the victim she was going to burn down the home on the property with one of the victim’s family members inside.
Stating he feared for his and his family member’s safety, the victim said he shot a 12-gauge shotgun into the air. He said he did not see or know Bonnie Cape had juveniles with her at the time.
Roller said in the report Bonnie Cape had allegedly broken into the shop building, broken out more windows and dumped gasoline on the floor and trailer inside the shop in an alleged attempt to start a fire.
She then left the residence and went to the road, where Roller located her and the juveniles, both under the age of 10. One of the children sustained shotgun injuries during the altercation. Bonnie Cape and the juveniles were all transported to Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Ark., due to injuries.
Roller’s report said Bonnie Cape does not have legal custody of the juveniles and was not supposed to have them.
Dakota Cape fled the scene, and his location is unknown.
The victim’s vehicle sustained about $2,000 worth of damage to the front bumper, fenders and tires.
Dakota Cape has pleaded or been found guilty in multiple felony cases from 2016, 2018 and 2021, including to charges of second-degree property damage, stealing twice, DWI, domestic assault, possession of drug paraphernalia twice and possession of a controlled substance.
Bonnie Cape has pleaded or been found guilty in four cases from 2014, 2021 and 2023. Charges include: possession of a controlled substance, delivery or possession of a prohibited item at a jail, operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license and driving while revoked.
Dakota Cape and Bonnie Cape were both issued warrants for their arrest on Aug. 22. Bonds for each have been set at $75,000, cash only.
