Early
this
morning
a
hearing
in
regards
to
State
of
Missouri
vs
Rhonda
L
Baker
was
heard
in
Bates
County
Associate
Circuit
Court
before
the
Honorable
Judge
Hopkins.
Bond
in
that
case
was
reduced
$20,000
to
$5,000.00
cash
or
surety.
Baker
was
arrested
Friday
November
8th
after
a
6
hour
standoff.
Baker
and
her
boyfriend
were
held
up
in
their
home
in
rural
Adrian.
It
was
reported
to
Law
Enforcement
that
Baker
was
suicidal
and
had
threatened
Law
Enforcement.
Baker
was
wanted
for
questioning
on
an
assault
that
sent
a
62
year
female
to
the
hospital
on
Monday
November
4th.
During
the
standoff
the
boyfriend
was
considered
a
hostage
because
he
told
the
negotiators
that
Baker
would
not
allow
him
to
leave
the
residence.
He
later
told
Law
Enforcement
that
he
was
afraid
that
if
he
left
the
residence
then
she
would
either
kill
herself
or
cause
the
police
officers
to
kill
her.
Baker
and
her
boyfriend
were
convinced
by
Bates
County’s
Crisis
Negotiation
Team
to
come
out
of
the
house.
Baker
denied
that
she
was
ever
suicidal.
Baker
was
charged
with
Assault
2nd
degree
with
a
bond
set
at
$20,000.
This
is
the
Second
Time
that
Ms.
Baker
has
barricaded
herself
in
the
residence.
On
February
14,
2011
Ms.
Baker
allegedly
pointed
a
gun
at
another
person
and
law
enforcement
at
the
house.
Ms.
Baker
retreated
into
the
house
and
a
12
hour
standoff
took
place.
Eventually
the
police
shot
tear
gas
into
the
house
to
bring
the
situation
to
a
peaceful
ending.
At
the
time
of
this
new
incident
Ms.
Baker
was
out
of
jail
on
a
$7500
bond
for
the
2011
Unlawful
use
of
a
weapon
charge.
That
charge
is
scheduled
for
trial
in
early
2014.
On
each of these incidents multiple agencies were called to assist.
Thousands of dollars and resources were used to bring each incident
to a peaceful resolution.
When
asked
about
the
bond
reduction
Sheriff
Anderson’s
response
was
“Extremely
disappointed,
especially
since
this
is
our
second
time!!
We
continue
to
ask
our
law
enforcement
officers
in
this
county
to
put
themselves
in
the
line
of
danger
to
protect
our
citizens
from
people
like
this
just
to
see
them
get
out
of
jail
within
days
of
the
event.
It
becomes
hard
to
ask
my
deputies
and
their
family
to
be
prepared
that
they
may
make
the
ultimate
sacrifice
to
protect
the
community.
It’s
also
tough
to
be
the
guy
that
talks
to
the
neighbors
or
victims
and
try
comfort
and
reassure
them
that
they
are
safe
in
their
homes.
”
Sheriff
Anderson also added, “When I took Office, I swore to uphold the
Constitution of the United States and the laws of this State and
Nation. My staff and I fully intend to continue to protect the
innocent and seek Justice for our citizens.”
