Two charged in death of 4-year-old

HOLT, MO — Two persons have been charged in the death of a 4-year-old child in Holt. Arrested are 34-year-old Justin R. Webb and 32-year-old Melissa D. Webb, both charged with Class A felony of murder in the second degree in the death of Lucas Webb. Bond was set at $500,000 each. Additional charges of Class B felony of abuse or neglect of a child were later filed against both defendants. Deputies from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and the Northwest Major Case Squad made the arrests on Oct. 17, 2012. Justin Webb is the maternal father and Melissa Webb is the stepmother of the deceased. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that an ambulance arrived at the residence approximately 3:10 p.m. on Oct. 15 after a report of an unresponsive child. The child was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy conducted on Oct. 16 indicated death was due to a blunt force trauma. Both suspects are being held in the Clinton County Jail, awaiting a hearing scheduled Oct. 24 in Plattsburg for Melissa Web and Oct. 30 for Justin Webb.