Welcome to the Juvenile Office of the 28th Circuit. Your Chief Juvenile Officer is Kyla Moorhouse.
The purpose of the Juvenile Court is to provide prevention, intervention and protection services to children, families and the community, while promoting collaborative partnerships with private and public entities in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the 28th Circuit (Barton, Cedar, Dade and Vernon Counties)
The Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over cases involving children who are runaways; out of parental control; behavior injurious to self or others; habitually truant from school; and children that have been abused and/or neglected.
The Juvenile court is a court of special jurisdiction that deals with children under the age of seventeen in law violation and delinquency cases, and under the age of eighteen in all other matters. It is a division of the Circuit Court. It is designed to provide protection, treatment and rehabilitation for the juveniles. Juveniles are NOT to be treated as criminals, but as a person needing care, education, protection and guidance. (See Chapter 211 of the Missouri Revised Statutes)
The Juvenile Officers work with a team in the abuse/neglect cases to demonstrate respect to all parents and family support team members, by supporting the duties and responsibilities inherent to each entity in order to provide an environment conducive to the well-being of the families and the children who come before the court.
The Juvenile Court values safety, protection, compassion and respect toward its employees, its partnering agencies, the community and the families and children that it serves.
Juvenile Office Phone Number: 417-667-5015
Chief Juvenile Officer Email: [email protected]
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: http://dss.mo.gov/cd/can.htm