A former Kirksville man at the center of a 2024 child-abuse investigation is now set to face a Shelby County jury in March 2027, stretching an already long-running case even further down the calendar. Court filings and local reporting say the allegations focus on severe injuries to the family’s oldest child that required highly specialized medical care.
According to KTVO, 35-year-old Cody Murphy was arrested in 2024 and is charged with four counts of abuse or neglect of a child resulting in serious emotional and physical injury. KTVO reports that co-defendant Destiny Stufflebean faces the same four counts. The station notes the oldest son was about 10 at the time of the alleged abuse and was flown to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where doctors reportedly diagnosed several brain bleeds and a spinal fracture.
Trials Split Between Adair and Shelby Counties
The criminal cases that spun out of the same investigation are moving forward on separate tracks. As detailed by The Edina Sentinel, Murphy’s case was transferred from Adair County to Shelby County, where a jury trial is set for March 2027. Stufflebean’s trial remains on the books in Adair County with an October 2026 trial date.
Defense Position and Case Status
Defense attorneys for both Murphy and Stufflebean have argued to judges that they believe the children’s injuries were self-inflicted or otherwise not caused by the defendants, according to KTVO. Court dockets reflect multiple continuances, as well as a change of venue in Murphy’s case. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the matters remain in pretrial status.
How the Charges Stack Up
Court records show each defendant facing four felony counts of abuse or neglect of a child causing serious physical injury. Missouri case law and statutory guidance indicate that a Class B felony typically carries a prison term in the range of five to 15 years, depending on the specific statute and any sentence enhancements. Missouri appellate decisions cite that sentencing range.
What Comes Next
Local dockets and coverage indicate a Shelby County judge will oversee pretrial scheduling as Murphy’s March 2027 jury trial approaches, while Adair County is holding to the October 2026 trial date for Stufflebean, according to reporting from the Shelby County Herald. For those following the proceedings, court files and hearing minutes remain the clearest way to track formal motions, venue orders, and any shifts in the trial calendar.
Both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We will continue to follow filings and hearings in Adair and Shelby counties and update this coverage as additional court action becomes public.
