safety
Child’s body found in woods during kidnapping investigation after mom said she hadn’t seen child in over a year
By KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
STOOKEY TOWNSHIP, Ill. (KMOV/Gray News) — Two people are in custody after a young child’s body was found in a heavily wooded area just east of St. Louis.The child’s body was found in Stookey Township, Illinois, on Wednesday.According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), office...
Key takeaway (KMOV/Gray News) — Two people are in custody after a young child’s body was found in a heavily wooded area just east of St.
Why this matters in The Midland
The tragic discovery of a child's body in Illinois serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of parental kidnapping cases, which can have devastating consequences. In the Permian Basin area, local law enforcement agencies have dealt with similar cases, highlighting the need for continued collaboration and information sharing between agencies. The fact that the father and another woman were arrested and charged with parental kidnapping and harassment in Missouri, while the child's body was found in Illinois, underscores the importance of inter-state cooperation in investigating such crimes. As the investigation unfolds, Midland residents should be aware of the resources available to report suspected cases of parental kidnapping or child endangerment, and the role they can play in preventing such tragedies. The community should also be vigilant in supporting local law enforcement efforts to protect vulnerable children and bring perpetrators to justice.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? STOOKEY TOWNSHIP, Ill. (KMOV/Gray News) — Two people are in custody after a young child’s body was found in a heavily wooded area just east of St. Louis.The child’s body was found in Stookey Township, Illinois, on Wednesday.According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), office...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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