Wichita Man Charged with Child Murder Has LONG History Of Abuse
In a chilling development, Thomas Ross Gatewood, a 51-year-old man from Wichita, Kansas, already facing murder charges in connection with the death of his 8-year-old daughter, has now been slapped with multiple child sex crime charges, escalating the severity of his case. This horrific incident underscores the urgency to safeguard our children and confront child abuse in our society.
According to court records, Gatewood, who stood in the Sedgwick County District Court on Tuesday, has been indicted with one count of rape of a child under 14, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy of a child under 14, and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, purportedly committed in 2018. While attorneys or law enforcement officials have not publicly disclosed the specifics of the case, each of these charges carries a life imprisonment sentence, further intensifying the grim fate awaiting Gatewood.
On June 27, Gatewood was indicted with first-degree felony murder relating to his daughter’s death, Jeanetta Gatewood. In addition to this, he faced charges of child abuse, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated endangering of a child, and aggravated intimidation of a witness or victim. Jeanetta’s tragic death occurred on May 8 at their residence in Wichita, with charges alleging Gatewood to have tortured or cruelly beaten his daughter, leading to her demise.
These alarming revelations have cast a pall over the community, as residents grapple with the monstrous crimes allegedly committed by one of their own. A long-time neighbor, requesting anonymity, offered a glimpse into Gatewood’s private life, recalling seeing Gatewood regularly but only seeing one of his daughters once.
Gatewood’s history paints a disturbing pattern of abuse. In 2006, an investigation in Minneapolis into Gatewood and his wife following the death of a child from meningitis revealed that the child had bruises, skull fractures, and rib injuries and was never taken to the hospital. No charges were filed despite the detective’s request to charge Gatewood and his wife with medical neglect.
By 2009, Gatewood’s family had moved to Oklahoma, where officials removed two children from the family home following the discovery of severe bruises on the toddler, who was unable to walk and talk. The toddler had not received medical attention for her injuries, a decision justified by Gatewood’s wife due to fear of her children being taken away. Gatewood admitted to bruising the toddler while spanking her excessively.
Gatewood received a one-year jail sentence in the Bartlesville case, while his wife was convicted of enabling child abuse by injury, receiving a sentence of 180 days in jail. Court documents reveal that Gatewood had a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, including charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and battery in Wichita or Riley counties.
As the case unfolds, our thoughts remain with the victims of these horrifying crimes. It’s a stern reminder for us all that vigilance and prompt action are essential in combating child abuse and protecting our most vulnerable members. Hopefully, justice will be served for the innocent lives tragically affected by these crimes.
According to court records, Gatewood, who stood in the Sedgwick County District Court on Tuesday, has been indicted with one count of rape of a child under 14, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy of a child under 14, and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, purportedly committed in 2018. While attorneys or law enforcement officials have not publicly disclosed the specifics of the case, each of these charges carries a life imprisonment sentence, further intensifying the grim fate awaiting Gatewood.
On June 27, Gatewood was indicted with first-degree felony murder relating to his daughter’s death, Jeanetta Gatewood. In addition to this, he faced charges of child abuse, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated endangering of a child, and aggravated intimidation of a witness or victim. Jeanetta’s tragic death occurred on May 8 at their residence in Wichita, with charges alleging Gatewood to have tortured or cruelly beaten his daughter, leading to her demise.
These alarming revelations have cast a pall over the community, as residents grapple with the monstrous crimes allegedly committed by one of their own. A long-time neighbor, requesting anonymity, offered a glimpse into Gatewood’s private life, recalling seeing Gatewood regularly but only seeing one of his daughters once.
Gatewood’s history paints a disturbing pattern of abuse. In 2006, an investigation in Minneapolis into Gatewood and his wife following the death of a child from meningitis revealed that the child had bruises, skull fractures, and rib injuries and was never taken to the hospital. No charges were filed despite the detective’s request to charge Gatewood and his wife with medical neglect.
By 2009, Gatewood’s family had moved to Oklahoma, where officials removed two children from the family home following the discovery of severe bruises on the toddler, who was unable to walk and talk. The toddler had not received medical attention for her injuries, a decision justified by Gatewood’s wife due to fear of her children being taken away. Gatewood admitted to bruising the toddler while spanking her excessively.
Gatewood received a one-year jail sentence in the Bartlesville case, while his wife was convicted of enabling child abuse by injury, receiving a sentence of 180 days in jail. Court documents reveal that Gatewood had a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, including charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and battery in Wichita or Riley counties.
As the case unfolds, our thoughts remain with the victims of these horrifying crimes. It’s a stern reminder for us all that vigilance and prompt action are essential in combating child abuse and protecting our most vulnerable members. Hopefully, justice will be served for the innocent lives tragically affected by these crimes.
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The latest on: Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
