FREDERICKTOWN, MO – In a harrowing case involving the tragic death of a young child, charges have been filed against two individuals. Rylee R. Fararro and Hayden W. Rosener face serious allegations, including abuse and neglect that resulted in the child’s death. The charges against Fararro include endangering the welfare of a child, while Rosener faces additional charges of possession of a controlled substance.
The couple made their court appearances last Thursday, where both entered pleas of not guilty. Fararro sought a bond reduction, but the court denied her request, setting her cash bond at $500,000. Rosener’s bond was set at $1 million. Both defendants are scheduled for their next court date on April 11.
This somber case unfolded when Fredericktown police responded to a call at Madison Medical Center regarding an unresponsive child. Upon arrival, authorities discovered that the child had died under suspicious circumstances, with clear signs of abuse or neglect, immediately prompting the detention of Fararro at the hospital.
Further investigation led officers to Rosener, who was taken in for questioning shortly after. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control was called to bolster the investigation.
Court records revealed that the victim, a 4-year-old boy, bore clear indications of severe maltreatment, exhibiting signs of malnourishment alongside multiple bruises and lacerations. Investigators found that both Fararro and Rosener struggled with opioid addiction.
During the inquiry, Fararro admitted to observing signs of abuse yet failed to report them. She had suspicions over Rosener’s treatment of her son. Employment demands reportedly kept her occupied with 60-hour workweeks, leaving Rosener as the primary caretaker. Allegedly, Rosener dissuaded Fararro from seeking medical attention for the boy’s injuries.
Rosener recounted to investigators that the injuries resulted from a fit the boy had in the bathroom, leading to an accidental fall. Nonetheless, the explanation offered did not align with the condition in which the child was found.
Records also showed a history of concerns flagged by the state’s Department of Social Services. A previous investigation had already highlighted the presence of illegal drugs in the couple’s dwelling and noted Rosener’s violent tendencies. The department’s safety assessment had explicitly recommended that Rosener should not be left alone with the child.
As the investigation continues, the tragic details of this case cast a strong light on the vulnerabilities faced by children in unstable domestic environments. Arrest warrants were issued for both individuals, and they are now in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.