St. Charles County, Missouri - On Nov. 8, 2016, Abuse of a Child charges were filed against Robert Burnette, a class B felony, wherein it was alleged that the Defendant Burnette knowingly abused his son J. B., a minor child who was at the time 6 weeks of age, causing J.B. serious physical injury. We received tragic news today that baby J.B. passed away this morning after he was removed from life support. As a result, our office is now treating this case as a homicide. The Office of Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar is announcing today that amended charges have been filed against Defendant Burnette to Abuse of a Child Resulting in Death, which is a Class A felony, carrying a maximum range of punishment of 30 years to life in prison. This is the maximum charge allowable in child abuse cases, and carries the same range of punishment as that of Murder in the 2nd degree. The Defendant remains in custody on a $500,000 cash only bond. The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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