BREEANN RODRIGUEZ - Aged 3 years - Senath, Missouri (USA)

Boston Globe

16 August 2011

Search continues for body of missing 3-year-old
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More than four dozen investigators searched a floodway near the Mississippi River on Tuesday, hoping to find the body of a 3-year-old girl who was apparently killed by a neighbor and dumped in a ditch.

Breeann Rodriguez was last seen Aug. 6 riding her pink bike with training wheels in front of her family's home in Senath in far southeastern Missouri. Her parents insisted she would not have ridden farther than the end of the street -- and they were right.

On Saturday, authorities announced they had arrested a neighbor, Shawn Morgan. Morgan, 43, told agent Tim Trowbridge of the Bootheel Drug Task Force that he found the child on a ladder in his backyard pool, grabbed her and carried her inside his home, where he suffocated her with a white plastic trash bag, according to a probable cause statement the agent filed.

Morgan told Trowbridge it "felt like it took an hour for the girl to die," according to the statement. He did not say why he killed the child.

He has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence. He made a first court appearance Tuesday, and his arraignment was rescheduled for Aug. 30 to allow him time to find an attorney. He remains jailed without bond.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/08/16/records_neighbor_confessed_to_killing_mo_girl/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+Boston+Globe+--+National+News

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Reuters

16 August 2011

Suspect in Missouri child killing makes first court appearance
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A Missouri man was accused on Tuesday of murder in the death of a three-year-old girl he allegedly suffocated with a plastic bag and tossed off a highway bridge in the same bag.

Shawn Morgan, 43, made his initial court appearance Tuesday in Dunklin County in southeast Missouri. He did not enter a plea and is arranging for counsel, said Stephen Sokoloff, Dunklin County prosecutor.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/16/us-crime-missouri-murder-idUSTRE77F51Q20110816

He is worse than any animal ! Psychotic ! Beyond any human compassion & why??

Oh please they find the little girl soon. If anyone knows anyone in this state,please help in the search according to Police direction. If I was there I'd be helping. This is unreal.

Iowa State Daily

16 August 2011

Officials find remains thought to be those of missing Missouri girl
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Authorities have found what they believe to be the remains of Breeann Rodriguez, a 3-year-old Missouri girl whose neighbor told police he had suffocated the girl with a plastic bag and then tossed her from a highway.

The remains were found Tuesday evening along a ditch northeast of Hornersville, Mo., about 8 to 10 miles from the girl's home in Senath, said Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff said.

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/nation/article_9a7f2578-c889-11e0-9bae-001cc4c03286.html

Reuters

17 August 2011

Body of murdered Missouri toddler recovered: officials
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Authorities have recovered what they believe to be the remains of a 3-year-old Missouri girl allegedly suffocated last week by a man from her neighborhood.

Police and others had searched for Breeann Rodriguez in a series of floodway ditches along a highway in southeast Missouri for several days.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol officer found a body thought to be hers on Tuesday, said Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder in a prepared statement.

"We are saddened to confirm our fears but glad we were able to recover her for her parents," Holder said in the statement released jointly with other law officers and the county prosecutor's office Tuesday night.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/us-crime-missouri-murder-idUSTRE77G3F420110817

The Republic

17 August 2011

Funeral services Saturday for 3-year-old Missouri girl allegedly killed by her neighbor‎

Funeral arrangements are now set for Breeann Rodriguez, the 3-year-old Missouri girl allegedly suffocated by her neighbor.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Senath Church of Christ Church with a funeral to follow at 4 p.m. at the church. Burial is at Senath Cemetery.

The girl was reported missing on Aug. 6. A man who lives on the same street in Senath, Shawn Morgan, was arrested Saturday and charged with first-degree murder. He allegedly confessed to suffocating Breeann with a plastic bag after finding her near his backyard swimming pool.

A spokeswoman for the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department says Morgan did not say why he killed the girl. Her body was found Tuesday near a series of drainage ditches a few miles outside of Senath.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/8b58300ac91a465f901a95c43e23ea7f/MO--Missing-Missouri-Girl-Funeral/

The Republic

17 August 2011

Police: Motive in killing of 3-year-old Missouri girl remains unclear
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As the small Missouri town of Senath prepares to say goodbye to Breeann Rodriguez, police still don't know what allegedly drove a neighbor to suffocate the 3-year-old girl.

Breeann's body was found Tuesday on the bank of a drainage ditch a few miles outside of Senath, a town of 1,500 residents in far southeastern Missouri. Shawn Morgan was arrested Saturday and charged with first-degree murder. A probable cause statement says he told investigators it "felt like it took an hour" to suffocate the child with a plastic bag.

Searchers had been looking for Breeann since she was reported missing on Aug. 6.

Julie Crowder of the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department says Morgan did not offer a motive.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/5a60807ce35d4452864170d3d83465a7/MO--Missing-Missouri-Girl/

Huffington Post

17 August 2011

Remains Of Breeann Rodriguez, Missing 3-Year-Old Missouri Girl, Found
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Remains believed to be a 3-year-old Missouri girl who went missing more than a week ago were found Tuesday near a series of ditches where authorities say a neighbor is suspected of dumping her body after suffocating her with a plastic bag.

A joint statement sent Tuesday night from prosecutors and law enforcement officers in the area said a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer searching by boat found the body of Breeann Rodriguez near the floodway ditches about eight miles southeast of the girl's family's home in Senath.

"We appreciate all the help and support from the community in what has been a difficult time for all," Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder said in the statement. "We are saddened to confirm our fears but glad we have been able to recover her for her parents."

The girl's parents were notified shortly after she was found, according to authorities.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/17/remains-of-breeann-rodriguez-found_n_929270.html

At this time Breeann is still listed on Missing Kids!!

Breeann's details have now been removed from Missing Kids Website..

Please note the following messages:

Sorry! The case you requested does not exist or has been removed from the site.

I was so tired after a sleepless night forgot to post this morning.

WARNING: DETAILED DISTRESSING NEWS

Her body was found folks in a ditch. I'll look up articles again now.

CBS News

18 August 2011

Police find remains believed to be Breeann Rodriguez

(CBS/KFVS/AP) KENNETT, Mo. - Investigators in southeast Missouri say they have found human remains believed to be those of missing 3-year-old girl Breeann Rodriguez.

The girl vanished on Aug. 6 from her Senath, Mo. neighborhood, about 200 miles south of St. Louis.

A joint statement sent Tuesday night from prosecutors and law enforcement officers in the area said a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer searching by boat found the body of Breeann Rodriguez near the floodway ditches about eight miles southeast of the girl's family's home.

Now Breeann's 43-year-old neighbor, Shawn Morgan, is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence in connection with Rodriguez's disappearance, Dunklin County Prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff announced at a press conference.

According to the probable cause statement, Morgan admitted to grabbing Breeann and carrying her inside his house as she stood on the ladder at the pool in his backyard on Aug. 6, CBS affiliate KFVS reports. Morgan then suffocated the girl using a white plastic trash bag. He then put the her body in the same trash bag, drove to the floodway ditches of Hwy. 164 and threw her over the railing.

When he came back to his house, Morgan took apart her bicycle and threw it in the same river system, according to court documents.

Sokoloff said at the press conference that Morgan was a neighbor of the child's family and is being held without bond. Morgan made an court appearance Tuesday, and his arraignment was rescheduled for Aug. 30 to allow him time to find an attorney. He remains jailed without bond.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20093412-504083.html

This is a very sad case. I cannot imagine what in the world he was thinking. Poor baby girl, rest well.

Daily Dunklin Democrat

Sunday, August 21, 2011

By LECIA FORESTER

Community says 'Good-bye' at Friday evening ceremony


The Rodriguez Family along with Missy Hampton release the doves at the ceremony in honor of the late BreeAnn Rodriguez. (Background) Hundreds of balloons fill the sky after being released during the ceremony.

On Friday evening, area residents came together in prayer to celebrate the life of the late BreeAnn Rodriguez.

Rodriguez and her family became known when she went missing on Saturday, Aug. 6, while riding her bicycle near her home in Senath.

Immediately, members of the community joined forces and came together to assist in the search for BreeAnn and to show unwavering support for her family.

A community-wide Candlelight Prayer Vigil was held in Williamson Park on Wednesday, August 10, with several hundred people in attendance.

Ministers from the community as well as law enforcement officials spoke concerning the disappearance of the child while offering support, hope and encouragement to the family. At the end of the service, lit candles were placed on the stage, giving light in the darkness.

The Memorial Service held on Friday, Aug. 19, in Williamson Park was not only meant to be a celebration of her life but to be a service to help bring closure for the family and the community.

On Main Street in Senath, signs in the downtown area were adorned in yellow ribbons and colorful balloons.

The park itself was adorned with pink, white and orange balloons as well as yellow ribbons. Candles covered the stage area, many of them bearing BreeAnn's picture. In the background, music was softly playing as attendees, all wearing either pink, white or orange, waited for the releasing of the doves, followed by a balloon release.

To begin the ceremony, Mayor Joe Lane first took the podium, saying the Rodriguez family wanted to have the ceremony so that everyone in the community could experience closure from the events of the last few weeks.

"We all got to know of BreeAnn quite a bit and we all love her very much," Lane said. "We love this family. Most of all, we love each other and we want to stick together throughout this and throughout the coming days. It doesn't matter who we are, what we are. We need to go back into the days when we watched after each other, not try to gig somebody for something."

He then noted that all prayers are with the Rodriguez family at this time.

After speaking, Lane asked the Rodriguez family to come onstage for the releasing of the doves.

Pastor Dagoberto from Eveneser Church in Kennett said a prayer and expressed appreciation for everything the community has done during this time and what it is still doing.

Following the prayer Missy Hampton of Sky Angels, spoke of the history behind the dove release. Hampton spoke of how the releasing of the first dove represents BreeAnn's spirit, and the releasing of the next three doves represent angels--the angel of love, the angel of hope, and the angel of peace. And as the doves soar to the heavens, loved ones that have gone on before her will joyfully say, "Look, here she comes."

Immediately following the dove release, the audience sent their balloons upward into the sky.

As the balloons disappeared, the Rodriguez family's minister, Max Guzman of Iglesia Bautista Hispana Church in Blytheville, Ark., said a closing prayer followed by another prayer by Mayor Lane.

An estimated 300 to 400 came to say good-bye and to honor three-year-old BreeAnn Rodriguez.

http://www.dddnews.com/story/1755013.html

Kait8.com

Aug 30, 2011 4:04 PM GDT

Charges against Shawn Morgan amended, State could pursue death penalty

The man accused of killing 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez could face the death penalty after Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff announced he was filing amended charges against him.

According to Sokoloff, one count of child kidnapping—a class A felony—is to be added to three existing accounts of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence against the 43-year-old Shawn Morgan.

Sokoloff also said he filed a notice of statutory aggravating circumstances, which will permit the State to seek a death sentence for the first-degree murder charge against Morgan. While this does not guarantee that the State will seek the death penalty, it is a procedural step to make the penalty an option.

"I have spoken with Breeann's parents about this issue, and they are in support of my taking this step," said Sokoloff.

Morgan is accused of killing 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez of Senath after police say he admitted to an agent of the Bootheel Drug Task Force that he suffocated Breeann with a trash bag after finding her standing on the ladder of his pool.

Police say he admitted that he dumped her body in the floodway ditches on Missouri Highway 164. He then told police he returned home, dismantled the bike she was riding and dumped it in the same floodway ditches.

Breeann went missing Saturday August 6 while riding her bicycle in front of her home. Morgan was arrested and admitted to police that he killed her on Saturday August 13.

Breeann's body was found more than a week later on Tuesday August 16 near the floodway ditches about eight miles southeast of her family's home in Senath.

Morgan has not hired an attorney, and is set to appear in court again on September 13.

http://www.kait8.com/story/15358904/charges-against-shawn-morgan-amended-state-could-pursue-death-penalty

KSPR.com

August 30, 2011

By Leigh Moody

State Opens the Door to Death Penalty Against Man Charged with Killing 3 Year old Breeann Rodriguez

The Dunklin county prosecuting attorney filed an amendment that allows the state to seek the death penalty if it wants to

A man charged with killing a 3-year-old Missouri girl could now face the death penalty.

Shawn Morgan is charged with suffocating Breeann Rodriguez and then dumping her body in a river. Today, the Dunklin county prosecuting attorney filed an amended charge that would allow the state to seek the death penalty against Morgan.

The prosecuter also filed an additional count of kidnapping in the case. Morgan is expected back in court next month. Even though the office has filed an amendment of statutory aggravating circumstances which opens the door to the death penalty, they have not decided if they will actually seek the death penalty.

http://articles.kspr.com/2011-08-30/death-penalty_29947547

CNN International

30 August 2011

Authorities may pursue death penalty in Missouri girl's slaying
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Prosecutors have filed an additional charge and may seek the death penalty against a Missouri man who allegedly admitted to suffocating his 3-year-old neighbor.

Shawn Morgan, 43, was previously charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence. He now is also accused of child kidnapping, a Class "A" felony, said Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff after a counsel status hearing Tuesday.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/08/30/missouri.girl.killed/

KSDK

13 September 2011

Shawn Morgan headed for court on murder, kidnapping and pornography crimes‎

The Dunklin County man charged in the death of a three year old girl last month is now facing possession of child pornography charges in the case.

43 year old Shawn Morgan of Senath is jailed without bond now on charged of first degree murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and armed criminal action along with the latest felony against him.

Morgan is accused of kidnapping BreeAnn Rodriguez on August 6th while the youngster was riding her bike near a swimming pool located on Morgan's property.

Prosecutors allege Morgan abducted the child, then killed her and tossed her into water about three miles from her home. No obvious motive has been disclosed, despite Morgan allegedly confessing to the crime.

Morgan appears in court this morning to decide whether he'll make application for a public defendner or hiring a private attorney to represent him

No decision has been made by. prosecutors at this time, but they have the option of seeking the death penalty against Morgan if he's convicted.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/276465/3/Shawn-Morgan-headed-for-court-on-murder-kidnapping-and-pornography-crimes

KAIT

4 October 2011

Man accused of killing Senath 3-year-old appears in court

The man accused of killing Senath 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez, appeared in a Dunklin County Courtroom Tuesday morning.

According to the Dunklin County Prosecutor's Office, Shawn Morgan appeared in court with his attorney's from the Capital Unit of the Public Defender's Office in Columbia. The case was set for a preliminary hearing to be held on November 7 at 1:30pm.

Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff has amended the charges Morgan faces twice, adding one count of child kidnapping, a class A felony, and possession of child pornography, a class C felony. These charged were added to three existing accounts of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence.

Sokoloff also said he filed a notice of statutory aggravating circumstances, which will permit the State to seek a death sentence for the first-degree murder charge against Morgan. While this does not guarantee that the State will seek the death penalty, it is a procedural step to make the penalty an option.

Shawn Morgan is accused of killing 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez of Senath after police say he admitted to an agent of the Bootheel Drug Task Force that he suffocated Breeann with a trash bag after finding her standing on the ladder of his pool.

http://www.kait8.com/story/15358904/man-accused-of-killing-senath-3-year-old-appears-in-court?redirected=true

Daily Dunklin Democrat

4 October 2011

Morgan granted public defender, arraignment scheduled‎

Shawn Morgan, 43, of Senath, Mo., made his fourth appearance in court on Tuesday morning since being charged with the disappearance and death of three-year-old BreeAnn Rodriguez, also of Senath.
Morgan again appeared before Judge John C. Spielman and was told that after conferring with his attorneys, Thomas Marshall and Charles Moreland, public defenders from Columbia, Mo., a preliminary hearing had been set for 1:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7, 2011.

When Morgan was first arrested, the Dunklin County Prosecutor's office formally charged him on felony counts of First Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action and Tampering with Physical Evidence in connection with the case.

As investigation into the case continued, other charges have been added. In addition to the original charges filed, Morgan faces charges involving child kidnapping, a class A felony, and possession of child pornography, a class C felony.

During the Aug. 30th court hearing, Dunklin County Prosecutor Stephen P. Sokoloff filed with the courts a notice of statutory aggravating circumstances.

At that time, Sokoloff explained, "That is a procedural step I'm required to take if at some point in the future that I may seek a death penalty in the case [and] I must give notice under the Missouri statutes [for a] first degree murder case before a jury can impose a death sentence. They have to find the existence of statutory aggravating circumstances."

http://www.dddnews.com/story/1769990.html

KTRS

10 February 2012

Trial set for SE Missouri man accused of killing 3 year old neighbor

The trial details are set for southeastern Missouri man accused of killing a 3-year-old neighbor who'd wandered into his backyard. Forty-three-year-old Shawn Morgan of Senath will be tried in Dunklin County December 10th. But jurors will be selected from a pool in Phelps County. Morgan is charged with first-degree murder in the death of BreeAnn Rodriguez, who disappeared August 6th. Her remains were found 10 days later about eight miles from her family's Senath home.

http://www.ktrs.com/news/local-news/item/1184-trial-set-for-se-missouri-man-accused-of-killing-3-year-old-neighbor

KAIT 8

7 August 2012

1 year anniversary of Breeann Rodriguez murder

Senath remembered a day many say changed their town forever.

One year ago, 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez disappeared while riding her bike on Ode Johnson Road.

Her neighbor Shawn Morgan now faces charges for her murder.

According to court papers, Morgan told authorities he saw the little girl standing by his backyard pool and that he then took her inside, suffocated her with a trash bag, and threw her body into the floodway ditch.

People who remember searching for the little girl say they still await justice.

Prosecutors say Morgan's trial is set for December.

Friends say Breeann's parents, Edgar Rodriguez and Claudia Ramos have since moved out of the home and now live in Arkansas.

http://www.kait8.com/story/19209915/1-year-anniversary-of-breeann-rodriguez-murder