LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. – A shocking case of alleged child abuse has emerged in Missouri, where Brenda Ruth Deutsch, a 70-year-old foster mother, has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including child abuse, neglect, and endangerment. The investigation into her activities began after reports surfaced regarding a missing foster child, who was later found in Texas.
According to Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood, Deutsch is accused of trading her foster child for an exotic monkey. The child, a girl under the age of 17, was located in Texas after being sent to live with Deutsch’s friend under questionable circumstances. Wood stated, “A witness who had come forward with some information regarding the systemic abuse that was going on in the home, had said that they had been asked to bring the child down to Texas and bring the monkey back in return.”
Investigators allege that between September 2022 and January 2025, Deutsch subjected the girl to severe physical abuse, including hitting her with her hands and various objects, leading to injuries and bleeding. The abuse was not isolated, as Wood described it as “a culture of abuse and neglect.”
The investigation began in November 2024 when the Missouri Department of Social Services received an anonymous tip regarding the abuse. By December, the victim had disclosed to investigators that her ordeal started approximately three years prior. She reported being struck with a paddle and facing other forms of abuse, including emotional and mental torment.
Wood expressed concern that the system had failed to protect the child despite numerous hotline calls made over the years. “Disappointed to learn that this particular home, despite the notoriety that it had gained, was not in our system. We didn’t have any police reports. We didn’t have any requests for prosecution. We didn’t have anything,” he said.
As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that Deutsch had fostered more than 200 children throughout her decades as a foster parent. This alarming statistic has led authorities to anticipate additional charges may follow as more victims and witnesses come forward. Wood confirmed that his office has already received contact from numerous individuals with information regarding the case.
The victim’s situation deteriorated further when she was sent to the home of Deutsch’s friend in Texas, which was described as having unsanitary conditions and inadequate supervision. Reports indicate that the adults at the Texas residence were disabled and unable to properly care for the child, who was also tasked with taking care of other exotic animals.
In a troubling twist, Deutsch allegedly informed her friend that they could keep the girl while she continued to receive foster parent payments. This situation raised further questions about the oversight and accountability of the foster care system.
As the investigation deepens, Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Harrell has expressed his commitment to uncovering the full extent of the allegations against Deutsch. He stated, “We are actively looking into see if there are areas we missed something and could have done a better job. We want to make sure there is an answer to this.”
Harrell is particularly focused on cross-referencing the reported 250 hotline calls made about Deutsch over the last 10 to 15 years to determine how many resulted in law enforcement referrals. He noted the importance of understanding where the system may have failed, saying, “It speaks to an organizational failure and we are looking into that and see what the facts actually are.”
Wood emphasized the need for public trust in government institutions, particularly those tasked with protecting vulnerable children. He remarked, “When people begin to not trust the system and there are failures with the institutions we have to rely on, that becomes really problematic moving forward.”
The charges against Deutsch are considered initial, and the investigation is expected to be lengthy, covering a decade’s worth of abuse allegations. The seriousness of the situation has prompted local authorities to ensure that similar cases are handled with greater diligence in the future.
As the community grapples with the implications of this case, the next court date for Brenda Deutsch is set for April 14, 2025. The outcome of this case may serve as a critical turning point for the Missouri foster care system, highlighting the urgent need for reforms and more robust oversight to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
