HANNIBAL After escaping the crime scene by swimming in the Mississippi River, a Hannibal man who was charged with child molestation was able to obtain an extra charge of resisting arrest.
The 10th Judicial Court of Marion County issued a warrant on Thursday accusing Hannibal resident Joshua D. Foust, 43, of child abuse and resisting arrest. The warrant was the outcome of an investigation that began at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday in response to a report of physical abuse of a child in the neighborhood of North and 9th Street.
According to a witness, a man was striking a youngster while standing on top of them and then dragging them by the hair. After receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at Hannibal Regional Hospital, the youngster was taken by Marion County Ambulance and subsequently released.
The man turned out to be Foust, who had allegedly fled the area with the mother of the child. The Drone Team and other Hannibal Police officers were used in a search of the downtown area. Foust escaped from officers by swimming downstream when an officer found him close to the Mississippi River at 3:12 p.m. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Hannibal Fire Department, the Ralls County Sheriff’s Department, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department were among the organizations that officers contacted for assistance.
Foust was just south of Hannibal when the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Department of Conservation sent out watercraft with police to attempt to get in touch with him. Watercraft officers were able to reach Foust, who resisted attempts to subdue him. The Missouri State Highway Patrol eventually apprehended Foust and returned him to the Hannibal Marina, where he was turned over to the Hannibal Police Department.
According to a news release, authorities were able to safely and promptly take this subject into custody because of their prompt arrival with the right watercraft and backup staff.
Foust is presently being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond at the Marion County Jail.
