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GoogleKeller is the mother of Joel Trower, who was the victim of an August 2007 assault by his father, Ronald L. Trower, now serving a life sentence in Missouri Department of Corrections for the near-fatal attack on the six-week-old infant.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joby Raines recommended a sentence of five years in Missouri Department of Corrections on each count for Keller, subject to a 120-day shock sentence, but unlike a plea bargain, an open plea contains no sentence arrangement.
At the Monday hearing, Judge Rolf questioned Keller directly, asking if she had been personally involved in the assault on her baby son, to which she responded, "No, I was not." He then asked if her if she saw the attack. She responded that she hadn't.
Rolf, reading a list of injuries to the baby from the police report of the incident, questioned Keller again.
"You had no part in it whatsoever?" Rolf asked.
"No. No, I didn't," Keller said.
Rolf then asked for a Sentencing Assessment Report before imposing sentence. Keller is scheduled to appear in court again July 27.
The boy was the second of two children born to Keller and Trower. As law enforcement officers reviewed the circumstances surrounding what they eventually learned was the second attack on the infant, investigators discovered the other child, a girl of around two, was suffering from "failure to thrive," a condition which can result from neglect or abuse.
Keller was then charged with two counts of endangering. She posted bond and was released in late August 2007.
Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net.
Related stories:
Trower sentenced to life in prison:
http://www.marshallnews.com/story/145118...
Assistant prosecutor discusses assault case:
http://www.marshallnews.com/story/143886...
Trower found guilty of assaulting infant:
http://www.marshallnews.com/story/143817...
Marshall man on trial in Pettis County for assault:
http://www.marshallnews.com/story/143802...
Bond set at $300,000 for Marshall man charged with assault on six-week-old infant:
http://www.marshallnews.com/story/124673...
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you know i sit and read her poor excuses as a mother at one time i was with mr.trower for 4 years and he done things to my children and i hate him for it but omg these was his own children he done this stuff to and u have the gull to say you didnt know that a crock because i didnt know about what he did to my kids he had me druged and another thing when you mess with a man that just came out of prison you should of checked what he was in there for and im glad i didnt have none with him i was smart i was on birthcontoral has she ever heard of the must not have
She was advised by phone, when person was told how the child was acting, to take the child to the emergency room immediately on a Friday. Later found out she did not take him until early Monday morning. Yes, it was after the fact that I was aware of all of this. Of course I would have hotlined etc. if knew or thought anything else.
To the above comment...You were aware that Ms Keller knew something was wrong w/Joel for 3 days...was this after the fact because I didn't understand how anyone could know something wasn't right and not do anything about it. I'm not trying to be rude or judgemental I was just left wondering after I read your post.
I am glad to see that the mother is finally being held accountable for her part in this. I am aware that she knew something was wrong with Joel for three days before doing anything. How sad for Joel and his sister.