A northeast Missouri man is facing sexual abuse charges involving multiple children.
Howard "Kris" Moots, 34, of La Plata, has been charged with:
- Child molestation-2nd degree-child less than 12 years of age
- Statutory sodomy-deviate sexual intercourse-person less than 14 years of age
- Sexual abuse- 1st degree- victim less than 14 years of age
- Endangering welfare of a child engaging in sexual conduct under 17 years of age as parent/guardian- 1st degree- 1st offense
- Sexual misconduct involving a child under 15- 1st offense
According to the probable cause statements, four incidents involving a 10-year-old girl at the time happened between June 1, 2019 and Aug. 31, 2020.
In one incident, the girl described Moots having her go to his bedroom, take off her clothes and get under a blanket for him to giver her "body kisses". She also said Moots made her perform oral sex on him.
Another incident listed involved a 7-year-old girl at the time and happened between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2020. The child reported it happened at Moots' residence in La Plata.
The girl described the two of them sitting on the couch when Moots told her to take off her shorts and underwear and if she didn't, he would kill her. Moots reportedly began to touch her private area.
She said Moots told her that if she said anything to anyone that he would kill her and her family.
The final incident listed happened between July 17 and July 25, 2020 and involved another 10-year-old girl at the time. The girl was staying at Moots' house for a sleep over with one of the other alleged victims.
She reported that Moots carried her from the bedroom while she was sleeping to the couch. He then pulled down her shorts and began touching her.
The girl was able to show where she was touched on a drawing used during interviews with children.
Moots is currently being held in the Yellow Medicine County Jail in Granite Falls, Minn., awaiting extradition.
La Plata police told KTVO they believe there may be other victims. Investigators encourage them to come forward if they have any additional information.