According to court records, the Bates County Sheriff's Office received a call for service regarding the missing youth, 13 year old Airen Andula of Pleasanton, which upon arrival at Leonard's residence they were informed that he knew the whereabouts of the missing (now deceased) child.
Leonard also told deputies that he had transported the child from Kansas to Missouri and led deputies to the location of the body that was in a remote area in Bates county, Mo.
Leonard is being held on a $100,000 cash only bond and entered a plea of not guilty in the Bates County Circuit Court this morning. He is now scheduled for a status hearing on January 15, 2026.
Additional charges are expected to be filed in Linn County.
