BATES CO., Mo. (KCTV) - One of the most heinous cases ever seen by a local Sheriff’s Office has come to a close after both defendants in a child sex crimes investigation were sentenced to decades in prison.

The Bates County, Missouri, Sheriff announced on Friday, Aug. 15, that Kenneth R., 37, and Melody B. Thexton, 41, both of Drexel, have been sentenced to prison following a case that lasted 7 years. Each has been sentenced to serve 32 years behind bars.

Circuit Court documents indicated that on June 17, both entered Alford Pleas in response to the charges that had been brought against them. This type of plea maintains their innocence but acknowledges that there is enough evidence to convict them.

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