A St. Louis couple faces felony charges after their five-month-old son died in December 2022 due to severe injuries allegedly caused by neglect and abuse. Roshonda Hagens, 34, and Joshua Riley, 39, were charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death. Hagens remains in Greene County Jail on a $75,000 bond, while Riley is held on a $100,000 bond.
Court records reveal that on December 5, 2022, Hagens brought her unresponsive infant to Mercy Hospital. Medical staff resuscitated the child and placed him on life support, but he later died. Examinations revealed extensive injuries, including brain bleeds, retinal hemorrhages, rib fractures, head bruises, and spinal cord trauma.
Hagens initially told police she had traveled from California to Springfield with a friend named “Sally,” who left her at a hotel. She claimed the baby’s breathing worsened in the parking lot before he went limp, prompting her to seek help, she told Fox2now.
Riley, a truck driver, stated he was in Pevely, Missouri, when Hagens called him about the baby’s condition. However, investigators uncovered inconsistencies in their statements. Evidence showed the couple traveled from Illinois across the southern U.S. between December 2-5, 2022, while Riley worked.
Deleted texts from December 3 revealed Riley messaging Hagens that the baby “fell out of the bed,” to which she replied, “what.” Later, Hagens searched online about baby safety after falls, while Riley looked up head injury symptoms.
GPS data placed them in Strafford on December 5 without the child before Riley dropped Hagens and the infant at Mercy Hospital. Afterward, Riley searched for “shaken baby syndrome,” legal advice, and countries without extradition treaties.
The Greene County Medical Examiner ruled the infant’s death a homicide caused by a closed head injury on December 5, with evidence of prior abuse. Records also show Riley was convicted in 2012 for endangering a minor and assault after a two-year-old sustained multiple injuries. The case continues as prosecutors pursue charges against both defendants.