Couple set to face trial on 48 counts of illicit sex with minor children

A Kansas City couple with ties to Drexel, Mo are facing some 48 counts in Bates County Circuit Court involving sex acts and related sexual misconduct with children under the age of 14 that occurred in Jackson County, Missouri.

Kenneth R. Thexton, previously showing a Drexel address and Melody B. Thexton of Kansas City are facing charges that include  statutory sodomy, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Documents obtained from the court indicate the couple had allegedly performed sex acts with a total of three children, sometimes in the presence of each other, in the family home dating back to 2016.

Both defendants are currently being held in the Bates County Jail, each on a $250,000 cash or surety bond. Pending the outcome of a pre-trial conference set for June 3rd, a jury trial has been set for June 24, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Bates County.

Melody Thexton is represented by Special Public Defender Jonathan D. Truesdale of Kansas City. Kenneth Thexton is represented by Scott K. Friedrich of Butler.