No Sex Assault Charges in Missouri's 'Daisy' Case

Instead, prosecutor charges teen with misdemeanor child endangerment
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 9, 2014 12:38 PM CST
No Sex Assault Charges in Missouri's 'Daisy' Case
Shana Curry, left, and her husband Scott Curry hold signs at the "Justice for Daisy" rally in Maryville, Mo., on Oct. 22, 2013.   (AP Photo/The St. Joseph News-Press, Sait Serkan Gurbuz)

Charges have been filed against a Missouri teenager accused of raping a younger classmate at a party, but they're probably not going to satisfy the supporters of Daisy Coleman. The Jackson County prosecutor charged Matthew Barnett, now 19, with misdemeanor child endangerment but made no mention of the alleged sexual assault in January 2012, reports the Kansas City Star. The endangerment charge accuses Barnett of leaving a barefoot, barely conscious Daisy in the yard of her home before dawn. She was 14.

The case made national, even international, headlines when it first came to light: Outrage ensued after prosecutors dropped felony sexual assault charges against Barnett, citing a lack of evidence and a lack of cooperation from Daisy's family, recounts the AP. But her family called it a case of political favoritism, because Barnett's grandfather was a renowned local politician. A special prosecutor then began a new look into the case that culminated with today's charges. The case again made national headlines earlier this week when Daisy's mother revealed that her daughter had attempted suicide after repeated bullying. (More Maryville, Mo. stories.)

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