Birch Tree Man Charged with Child Molestation

A Birch Tree man has been charged with two felonies related to the sexual abuse of a child. Cody Austin Green, 23, stands accused of the molestation of a seven-year-old girl. According to a probable cause statement filed by Detective Joe Neuschwander of the West Plains Police Department, a Child Abuse Hotline Report prompted an investigation following an accusation that Green had been sleeping in the same room with the girl. 

The child was forensically interviewed at the South Central Child Advocacy Center in West Plains. During the interview, she disclosed that Green was her “roommate” who “sleeps on the floor next to her bed” at the Ridgecrest Motel. The girl said Green attempted to convince her to let him in the bed with her, to kiss him, and to engage in sexual intercourse. She further disclosed that Green touched her body under her clothes and asked her to kiss his exposed genitals. These interactions occurred while Green was babysitting her while her parents worked. 

Green was interviewed by police on July 6. He agreed that he stayed at the motel with an adult man, the girl’s father, but said he was not aware his roommate was married or had a child. He requested an attorney, and the interview was concluded. 

Green later disclosed to a Missouri Children’s Division investigator he was aware his roommate was married and had a child, but said he had never met the family. 

The accused appeared before the Honorable R. David Ray on July 20 and pled not guilty to one felony charge of second degree child molestation and one felony charge of enticement of a child. Green is using a public defender and will appear in court again on August 28.