It is interesting to this concerned mommy of five that the news slandered Mr. Rodgerson so heavily until all the child neglect charges concerning the Berns were dropped. Where is the news report stating that the child is back in the home of her loving parents? Where is the news reporting that DFS made another huge mistake in taking a child from his/her innocent parents? Why is it that the news is nowhere to be heard from when the innocent is proven innocent?

Lived there for a while, but didn't know Tiller or Sebilius who loved doing far worse things than this man ever thought about doing.

So Kansas is where the good parson fermented his hateful views of his fellow man. It seems Kansas has offered nothing but misery for a number of years and now it's being imported to Missouri.

I also had a child that was this weight at that age and it was due to a medical condition and a doctors misdiagnosis. He has grown into a normal teenager, just on the small side. If you would actually look into the facts you would see that the family does care for the child has not withheld any nutrition. As far as a mandatory reporter, I am one and the only time I am required to call is if I have any belief that the child has or is being abused or harmed, obviously Pastor Rogerson didn't and still doesn't believe that any abuse was taking place. Will the prosecuter be going after every nurse, doctor, and police officer that had a reason to look at this child in the past few months in to court to be arraigned, no because they have nothing against them, but Pastor Rogerson angered them by actually telling someone that they have constitutional rights as American citizens. This is the type of story that I would expect to see on the coasts, but I thought those that live in the midwest had a little bit more common sense.

I'm not going to argue about whether this man is innocent or guilty of the charges against him but I wanted to set the record a little straight with some clarification about the process that goes into removing a child from a home. By law, DFS (actually the correct name is Children's Division) does not have the authority to remove a child from a home. The only people who have that authority includes doctors, law enforcement officers and Officers of Juvenile Courts. Unfortunately, those individuals then immediately turn the custody of the child over to Children's Division and unfortunately, Children's Division takes the "blame" for removing the child from the home. I know it is difficult for some to believe but Children's Division's main goal is the protection of children. If there is doubt in a person's mind as to whether a child will be at risk for abuse or neglect in a home, they will not recommend to the Juvenile Court that a child be returned to their home. Ultimately, it's the Juvenile Court Judge that gets the say on whether a child is returned. I hope that has clarified some of the information a little. If anyone has questions regarding the truth in this statement, please contact any Children's Division worker, supervisor or circuit manager for assurance that it is correct.

this is not about mr.rodgerson..this is about a lil girl that gotten taken out of her mother's arms and her parents thrown in jail. When this should be the happiest times of their life, expecting another baby and celebrating their first mothers and father's day. Instead all of this is happening bc their child is smaller than what someone thinks she should be. And if anyone's interested the lil girls dr did report that she may be slightly underweight and all that but..she is not malnourished. Which if they weren't feeding her she would be. So stuff that into your hats! The charges against them and the preacher are groundless. The lil girl was not being abused, she had very loving parents i've seen it with my own eyes. Just because a child is not as big as other children or as big as other ppl thinks they should be doesnt mean a child is being abused or not fed. You can't see this lil girls bones, she's a long beautiful chubby lil girl, who is very happy with her loving (yes loving!) parents!!! And should be returned to them! Enough is enough and this has gone too far! DFS needs to work on taking children from parents who are actually abusing their children instead of taking children that are perfectly healthy, well cared for and very much loved by their parents!!!

so sad that no one is interested in the facts of the story. I tried posting some of the truth on this sight on saturday but my comment never got posted. It must be because if everyone knew what was really going on people would realize how rediculous all this is!

I don't know enough to comment on the particulars, I am writing this as someone who spent a good amout of time around Aaron Rodgerson when he was here in Lawrence, KS (before Kirksville.) Unless he confessed to all this himself-in person, I don't believe it; it is not the kind of man he is. He is a Godly man who is willing to take a stand; willing to take a stand and be imprisoned if that is what it takes. A man who is not going to try and check the consiquences on taking that stand. A man who is willing to sacrifice. I have a feeling that if (and hopefully when) this is REALLY looked into a completely different adgenda & motivation will be discovered.

Has anyone actually seen a medical report that suggests this child was either abused or neglected?

Twelve pounds does sound small for a 10 month old, based on what we consider the norm. However, that does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. This child could be healthy but simply small. I've seen such children, so I know it is possible.

Assumptions are dangerous! Let's not use them!

A 12 pound 10 month old is not fine and should not be returned to her "loving" parents. If the good councilman and pastor knew of this and didn't report it he is not a man of integrity but a man of cowardice or ignorance. Someone has to stand up for this child. I'm sure noone wants to read the headline Local Child Starved To Death.

Yes, the second article was listed when I went back to the main news section (after commenting on this one). Thank you for pointing it out though, because it could have been easily missed.

I have several problems with this "indictment".

1) It was an indictment. Why was it necessary to utilize the Grand Jury once again?

2) The DFS apparently does not have to follow any specific set of rules when taking children from homes and can randomly make decisions in any given case. When there is apparently no true/immediate remedy (in the State of Missouri yet) when one is targeted by an "all-knowing DFS worker", why should anyone wish to place themselves at the mercy of such a worker? A worker who may be basing his/her decision only upon personal opinion?

Law enforcement officers, who are highly trained in investigation and interrogation, aren't protected by immunity, such as DFS workers are. Why is that?

Maybe it is time to take some of that power back and start holding DFS as accountable as our law enforcement officers are.

Whoops! Does expressing my opinion about the out-of-control DFS mean I am practicing law, too?

You can find more details on this story on this website, www.heartlandconnection.com, by clicking on the headline, "Rodgerson indicted on two counts" right under this story.

Many of the commenters must be able to see information that I can't see in the article. Must be invisible ink and they have special glasses that make it possible for them to read the hidden details of this case.

I don't know what is up, but seeing DFS is involved -- I'm not real ready to immediately assume this man is guilty of anything.

Mr. Rodgerson needs to resign as Council Member. He continues to embarrass the City of Kirksville. Who voted for this man, anyway?? Please resign so we can attempt to find someone with 'real' integrity to serve. Regardless of guilt, he needs to go.

Is church canceled for tomorrow?

To clarify about mandated reporters. . . there are some professions that are required by law to to report suspecions of abuse to the Children's Division (DFS). They include professions like doctors, nurses, ministers, social workers, therapists, counselors, teachers and school employees, and psychologists.

Remember, in the U.S. you are innocent until proven guilty. We should refrain judgment until a trial has been held.

I find all of this to be B.S,Everyone has commented on this story and has has said that they are glad that he is in jail and ect.How come no one has commented on the story about the local man charged with molesting a 10 YEAR OLD GIRL? Everyone is ready to rip Mr.Rodgerson to pieces on here,but have nothing to say about a guy who actually molested a little girl.

Before people jump on the bandwagon and assume someones guilt, they should get the facts! There are many unknown factors surrounding these charges, and even when the facts do begin to be made public, they may be made to look like something they are not. How sad that people carry a grudge against a man of integrity just because they do not understand or agree with his stand on a previous issue (homosexuality)! Last time I checked, it was still legal to have an opinion and voice it. Probably not legal for long, but it is now. I support Pastor Rodgerson and whether you agree or disagree makes no difference - he is a man of integrity!

thats right...in america you are guilty until proven innocent. or was it the other way around?

Wow! such an upstanding citizen!

This man has been in the local news way TOO much! It seems like every other week this man is in the news with some controversy or issue. I wonder what will be next?!

How did he ever make being a Councilman? I thought they had to do a back ground check! He was against people renting to gays and stated that he would not rent to a GAY couple. Well I think he is a Hypocrite. If you are a Pastor of a church you can not turn your back on anyone. The bible says to love everyone not just straight, rich, and people who fit your profile of what you want. That is why I quit going to church is because of people like this. This is a good example of the think before you vote rule.

I am glad Aaron Rogerson is in jail. Just because he is a council member and pastor doesn't mean he is above the law. I don't think that the bond was high enough. For what he is accused of, it should have been much higher!! I hope he doesn't end up with just a slap on the wrist. He needs to pay for what he has done!!

I hope people will not jump to conclusions due to the sensational headlines and the charges made against Pastor Rodgerson. He is a man of integrity, and if people were aware of all of the facts in this case, the citizens of Kirksville would be asking some serious questions about the type of workers in the local Dept. of Human Services. There have been some very serious charges made against good people, and I certainly hope they all have their day in court and are vindicated of all charges. The Berns' family are loving parents, and the last time I checked, just because someone doesn't do things like I do doesn't make it illegal. We need to wake up and be aware of what is going on around us! In my profession, I have seen countless children raised by parents I wouldn't want to have possesesion of my dog - there is no reason and no excuse to put loving parents through this nightmare when they were trying to do what they felt was in the best interest of their child. The child is fine and needs to be reunited with her parents. If the state feels a pressing need to visit, then go ahead. Maybe the workers will learn something about a loving family environment!

He might want to think about getting a real attorney now.

"failure of mandated reporter of child abuse, neglect, or death" -- does that even make sense? Huh?

Kind of interesting that so many of our past & present council people have had so many legal problems. Do you think we could get 5 good people who were law-abiding and didn't have a drinking problem or some other major character flaw that made them an embarrassment to our city? This man already showed his obvious discrimination beliefs a few months ago. I'd be interested in what the details are on this - where's the rest of this story???