Attorney General's News Release

January 21, 2011

Audrain County woman pleads guilty to child endangerment

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster said today that Aimee Smith has pled guilty to two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a class C felony. The case was moved from Audrain County to Howard County on a change of venue.

Koster said Smith pled guilty before Judge Scott Hayes to knowing that her husband, Curtis Smith, was sexually abusing his grandchildren, ages 6 and 8, at their Audrain County home. Smith admitted knowing of the sexual abuse and doing nothing to protect the children.

Koster said an Audrain County jury previously found Curtis Smith guilty of sexually abusing his granddaughters. He was sentenced to serve a total of 140 years in prison.

Judge Hayes sentenced Aimee Smith to serve 7 years in prison and placed her in the Sex Offender Assessment Unit. When she is released from prison, Smith will be required to register as a sex offender.

“These are people the young family members should have been able to rely on for unconditional care and protection, and instead they were subjected to horrendous abuse,” Koster said. “The damage done to these children cannot be undone, but I am grateful the defendants will be held accountable for their crimes.”

Koster said Assistant Attorney General Monty Platz assisted Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger on the case.