A Missouri couple who was arrested in September on child sex charges were charged last week with killing their newborn baby in 2009.

Johnson County police learned in May 2024 about Yvonne Arnold, now 55, giving birth at home following 12 hours of labor. KCTV reported that the child lived for only an hour and both the mother and her husband, Gregory Arnold, 56, refused to clear their baby’s airway.

Yvonne Arnold allegedly refused to go to the hospital and commented about knowing her baby would die. Witnesses were reportedly told to secretly make a grave for the Arnolds’ baby.

According to KMBC, a witness told police that the Arnolds’ baby had physical features consistent with Down syndrome. Another witness reported recounted exhuming the baby’s body when the family moved.

KMBC reported that investigators discovered the baby’s body in a wooden box. Investigators claimed the baby had multiple blisters that were the size of a hand.

The Arnolds were arrested in late September, when they were charged with sodomizing a child younger than 14. The victims in that case told Johnson County police that the couple physically and sexually abused them between 2004 and 2018, according to KMZU.

At the time of their arrest last year, police said they were investigating additional allegations dating back to 2005.

The Arnolds are charged with second-degree murder and abuse of a child resulting in death for their baby’s 2009 death. They remain jailed without bond.

[Feature Photo:  Johnson County Sheriff’s Office]