A 40-year-old staff sergeant in the U.S. Army has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder and making false statements in connection with the death of a 2-year-old child. Staff Sgt. Kevin Long is accused of beating the little girl to death at an illegal day care run by his wife at their home on a military installation in Missouri. The indictment was initially sealed and made public following Long’s arrest and appearance in court. The case is being prosecuted in federal court due to the crime occurring within the confines of Fort Leonard Wood.
According to court documents, Long is accused of unlawfully killing the child on November 6, 2019, through physical assault, resulting in blunt force injuries. The alleged assault took place at Fort Leonard Wood, where Long and his wife were operating an unlawful day care. It remains unclear if Long’s wife will face any charges related to the day care. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, a murder committed in the perpetration of child abuse constitutes first-degree murder.
In addition to the murder charge, Long is also accused of making false statements to federal investigators. He allegedly lied about being unaware of United States Army regulations that restricted the operation of a day care at Fort Leonard Wood. The indictment states that Long willfully and knowingly made a false statement and representation, despite knowing about the regulations.
The case was investigated by the United States Army – Criminal Investigation Division, the St. Robert, Missouri Police Department, and the Missouri Department of Social Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ami Harshad Miller and Shannon T. Kempf will prosecute the case. Long has been in custody since his arrest and is scheduled to appear in court on July 6. He is being represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Brian D. Risley.
The tragic death of a 2-year-old child at an illegal day care on a Missouri military installation has led to the indictment of Staff Sgt. Kevin Long. He now faces criminal charges of first-degree murder and making false statements. The case will be prosecuted in federal court due to the crime occurring within the jurisdiction of Fort Leonard Wood. Long’s alleged assault on the child and his false statements to investigators have raised serious concerns. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on seeking justice for the young victim and holding those responsible accountable.