Police: St. Charles child sex abuse case one of worst seen

ST. CHARLES, Mo (KMOV) — St. Charles deputies say it’s one of the most disturbing cases of child sex abuse they’ve ever seen, and they believe there may be more victims.

Three people are behind bars, accused of sexually abusing three girls; 5 and 3-year-old siblings and another 7-month-old girl.

Court documents show Rebecca Sue Russell would hold her infant daughter down while her boyfriend, John Scott Thomas, had intercourse with the 7-month-old.  St. Charles County detectives say it happened in the Tee Kay Mobile Home Manor near O’Fallon over the past several months.

When the neighbor kids came to visit—just 3 and 5 years old themselves—police say the couple raped them too.

Melinda is the older children’s mother. She has asked to have her last name withheld to protect the identity of her children.

“This was supposed to be my best friend, my kids’ godmother, and they just lived up the street,” she said.

Melinda said she didn’t suspect anything, despite a comment made by her oldest daughter.

“There was an incident last year when my oldest said something, but we thought it was just off the wall.”.

The St. Charles County Prosecutor has also pressed charges against Melinda’s live-in boyfriend.  Billy Joe Bunch Jr. was arrested at work on Thursday, accused of making Melinda’s 5-year-old daughter perform oral sex on him.

Melinda filed for orders of protection on Thursday against all three of her girls’ accused abusers.

“What kind of monster can sit there and look at you every day and do this to your children who they’re supposed to love?” she said.  “I’ve been going through emotional rollercoaster and I’ve just been trying to stay strong for my kids.”

Police say Bunch and Thomas have confessed to the crimes.

All three of the suspects are charged with child molestation and jailed on a $200,000 bond each.  Police say more charges are coming.

St. Charles County detectives urge anyone who has children who may have been in contact with any suspects in this case, even for a brief time to call them immediately.  The detective bureau is (636) 949-3020.  The lead detective can be reached at (636) 949-7900 x4554.