A Missouri home belonging to one of two suspects charged with kidnapping a missing woman reportedly burned to the ground on Monday.
James Phelps, 58, was in custody when a fire completely destroyed his Lebanon home. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office told KOZL that a deputy who responded to the blaze discovered something that resembled a tripwire, and a bomb squad reportedly
Phelps and co-defendant Timothy Norton, 56, were arrested late last month for kidnapping Cassidy Rainwater, 33, who has been missing since July 25.
Court documents alleged that Rainwater was held captive in a cage on Phelps’ property. Dallas County police found two pictures of a partially-nude Rainwater in the cage in Phelps’ phone, according to the Springfield News-Leader.
Phelps reportedly told police that Rainwater was living with him while she “got back on her feet,” but she left in the middle of the night for Colorado.
Meanwhile, Norton reportedly told cops that on July 24, Phelps had him come to his house to help restrain Rainwater. Norton also said he “physically confine[d]” Rainwater by “holding her down for a substantial period of time,” the News-Leader reported.
Norton allegedly confessed that he knew Rainwater was being confined in a cage at Phelps’ home.
Norton and Phelps appeared in court on Tuesday. KOZL reported that the pair’s public defenders did not request bond during that hearing.
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[Featured image: Cassidy Rainwater/Dallas County Sheriff’s Office]
