Man assaults seven, including children

A West Plains man was arrested after allegedly assaulting multiple people on July 4. David L. Lange, age 38, of West Plains, is charged with felony first degree assault, abuse or neglect of a child under Section 568.060.5(1) – no sexual contact, first degree endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk – no sexual contact, and third degree domestic assault. Lange was held at the Howell County Jail on an amended bond of $5,000 corporate surety only with special conditions.

 

West Plains Police officers responded to a residence on West Leyda Street on the evening of July 4 for an assault with multiple victims, according to court documents. Police spoke to four adults and three juveniles under the age of 17 who accused Lange of assaulting them. The first male victim accused Lange of pushing him to the ground and getting punched by Lange multiple times in the face. Police noted this man had multiple abrasions on his back, bruises on the left side of his face and eye, and a cut on his head. Lange's wife accused him of spitting in her face. The third victim, a woman, said Lange punched her twice in the shoulder. The fourth and last adult victim, another woman, told police the suspect had scratched her left arm and ripped her shirt. Law enforcement noted that the woman did have an abrasion and a torn shirt.

 

The first juvenile male victim accused Lange of punching him in the left side of the jaw. The second juvenile male victim told authorities that he was struck multiple times on the right ankle by Lange. The third juvenile female victim said she had been hit with a closed fist on her neck by the suspect. 

 

Lange was arrested shortly before 10 pm on July 4 and placed on a 24-hour hold, according to court documents. An arrest warrant was issued the following day with a $50,000 cash or surety bond. Lange pleaded not guilty to the charges on July 8 and his bond was amended to $5,000 corporate surety only with special conditions on July 10. The following day, July 11, the arrest warrant was recalled. Lange is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on August 20.