News

Actions

Belton couple charged after child was shot during violent drug deal

One dead, three injured in Kansas City shooting
Posted at 8:55 PM, Aug 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-22 13:01:38-04

Authorities have charged a Belton man and his girlfriend with child endangerment and child abuse for allegedly firing weapons near children during a violent drug deal.

Prosecutors have requested that the bail for Darrell Roberson, 28, and Roselynn Kuntz, 25, to be set at $100,000 each. 

According to the police report, officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Church’s Chicken near Gregory and Prospect on Thursday following an altercation.

When police arrived, they found a man who had been fatally shot in the parking lot.

Roberson and Kuntz had two young children with them inside their vehicle at the time of the drug deal. A 2-year-old remains in critical condition after being shot during the incident.

After Roberson set up the drug deal at Church’s Chicken, officials say he and Kuntz brought the two children with them because they didn’t have a babysitter.

"The level of care is so far beyond what is acceptable," said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Related: In rash of violence, KCMO children are witnessing heinous crimes

Roberson and Kutz admitted to police that they fired a gun when the children were with them inside the vehicle.

"All three adults that were inside that vehicle were armed with hand guns, they were armed for a battle," said Baker.

“If legislators had to speak to an 8 and 9-year-old who were struck by gun violence, if they had to speak to a 2 or 3-year-old and explain to them that this is the very best policy that we can come up with to keep you safe, I guess I would like that question asked," said Baker.

Baker says on the felony child abuse charge alone the parents could serve anywhere between 10 to 30 years in prison.

Police also say a Davyon Coates, 19, of KCMO, was killed in the crossfire during the bad drug deal. He was declared deceased when officers arrived on scene. 

This story is developing. Stay with 41 Action News for the latest.

----

Follow 41 Action News on Twitter:

Follow @41ActionNews

Like 41 Action News on Facebook: