Northland Father Indicted on Two Felony Counts of Child Abuse

 Clay County grand jury alleges fracture injury and failure to obtain medical care for 3-week-old infant; bond set at $200,000.

July 17, 2025
 A Clay County grand jury has indicted Dakota Hemphill, 27, on two felony counts of abuse or neglect of a child involving his infant daughter.

According to the indictment returned July 8, the first count alleges that on or about February 6 a child sustained a physical injury — a leg fracture — resulting from abuse tied to the way the limb was handled. The second count covers a period between January 23 and February 6, during which Hemphill is accused of failing to seek needed medical care for the child.

At the time of the alleged offenses, the victim was approximately three weeks old, prosecutors said during a recent bond-setting proceeding. Court records also show Hemphill has two pending municipal traffic charges out of Claycomo and an unrelated pending case in Colorado involving an alleged vehicle theft.

Hemphill appeared in Clay County Circuit Court on July 15, where he entered a plea of not guilty and asked to be represented by a public defender.

The matter is scheduled to return to court on July 25 for a status docket and bond hearing. Hemphill is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond.

Cases alleging harm to an infant reverberate far beyond a courtroom. In close-knit Northland neighborhoods, residents often rely on informal networks — extended family, neighbors, faith communities, and childcare providers — to help new parents manage the intense demands of early infancy. Allegations like these shake public trust and raise urgent questions: Would someone have noticed warning signs? Do caregivers know when and how to seek emergency medical care? Are families connected to support resources soon after a birth?

Local pediatric clinics, home-visiting nurses, early childhood programs, and faith-based outreach groups can all play a role in preventing future tragedies by checking in on newborn households, encouraging safe caregiving practices, and reminding caregivers that prompt treatment of unexplained injuries is critical. Community members who suspect a child may be in danger should contact Missouri's child abuse reporting authorities or local law enforcement; swift reporting can save lives.

This case is a reminder that child protection is a shared responsibility. Vigilance, education, and early intervention can help safeguard the most vulnerable among us.