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Man Pleads Guilty in Malnourished Child Case

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —  A Kansas City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty on Friday in connection to a case of a malnourished girl found in the closet of an apartment.

Marcus Benson, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of child endangerment. A second child endangerment charge against Benson was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

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In June, a malnourished 10-year-girl was found in a dark, filthy closet of an apartment in the 1300 block of Highland by police acting on a tip. Benson and the girl’s mother, 29-year-old Jacole N. Prince, were arrested and charged in the case.

Benson agreed to serve seven years in prison if he violates a five-year probation period. During that probation, he cannot have contact with the victim or other children under 17, must comply with all directions of Family Court and must complete a probation-approved parenting class.

Prince pleaded not guilty to charges of assault, child abuse and child endangerment in the case. She is set to go on trial next June.