LINN — A Morrison man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following a Dec. 28 incident in Linn that began as a welfare check and escalated into a high-speed pursuit involving a child in the vehicle, according to court documents filed in Osage County Circuit Court.

Cody W. Stanley, 39, of Morrison, was charged Dec. 31 with assault in the second degree of a special victim, armed criminal action, endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest by fleeing creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death. He also faces misdemeanor charges related to careless and imprudent driving involving an accident, speeding more than 26 mph over the posted limit, and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Linn Police Officer Dustin Roberts, officers were dispatched to the Dollar General parking lot in Linn after a request to check on the welfare of an infant. Officer Derek Bulson made contact with the driver, later identified as Stanley. No infant was observed in the vehicle; however, a child believed to be approximately 10 years old was present.

While Bulson was gathering information and attempting to determine the whereabouts of the infant, Stanley drove away at a high rate of speed. Roberts, who was nearby in a marked patrol vehicle, activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

Roberts stated Stanley failed to yield and accelerated eastbound on East Main Street toward the city limits, traveling approximately 65 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. During the pursuit, Stanley allegedly braked hard in an apparent attempt to cause a collision with the pursuing patrol vehicle.

As the pursuit continued, Stanley crossed a double solid yellow line, failed to maintain his lane of travel, and entered oncoming traffic lanes, creating what officers described as a substantial risk to other motorists, the child in the vehicle, and law enforcement.

Officers attempted rolling roadblock maneuvers to end the pursuit. Stanley allegedly drove around one patrol vehicle by passing on the shoulder and forced Officer Roberts into an oncoming traffic lane. Stanley then accelerated again, crossed into oncoming traffic, and continued eastbound on Hwy 50 without regard for public safety.

Sgt. Darrell Chrisenberry coordinated communications during the pursuit and notified the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which prepared to deploy spike strips near the Gasconade-Osage County line. Stanley avoided the spikes and continued fleeing before turning south onto Rt. A.

Court records indicate Stanley eventually entered a dead-end roadway and drove through the yard of a residence. Before reaching a nearby wooded area, he exited the still-moving vehicle and fled on foot, leaving the vehicle rolling with the child still inside. The vehicle struck a guardrail at under five miles per hour and came to rest.

Stanley was detained at gunpoint until a backup officer arrived and was then taken into custody. Officers checked the child for injuries, and emergency medical services and fire personnel verified no injuries on scene.

Roberts reported that after being advised of his Miranda rights, Stanley admitted to having active felony warrants. He also admitted to having drugs in the vehicle, specifically marijuana and methamphetamine, and to possessing firearms and a knife.

During a search of a bookbag in the vehicle, officers located a loaded Glock 17 Gen 5 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a second loaded magazine, additional ammunition, multiple containers of marijuana, glass smoking devices, and a container holding a white crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. All items were seized as evidence.

Stanley was transported to the Osage County Detention Center, where he was held on outstanding warrants and a 24-hour hold pending application for additional warrants.

Charging documents state the second-degree assault charge is based on allegations that Stanley attempted to cause physical injury to Officer Roberts by using a vehicle as a dangerous instrument during the pursuit. The armed criminal action charge is tied to the alleged use of the vehicle in conjunction with that felony.

The child endangerment charge alleges Stanley knowingly acted in a manner that created a substantial risk to the life, body, and health of a minor under 17 years of age by fleeing law enforcement at excessive speeds, crossing into oncoming lanes of traffic, passing on the shoulder, and abandoning the vehicle while it was still moving.

A review of Stanley’s criminal history included in the affidavit cites prior charges for assault, fleeing law enforcement, felon in possession of a firearm, and domestic assault. The affidavit also notes an active parole and probation warrant from the state of Texas. According to the probable cause statement, Texas authorities have indicated they will extradite Stanley, and that a pre-signed extradition waiver exists as a condition of his probation.

Based on the totality of the allegations, officers stated they believed Stanley posed a flight risk and a danger to family members and the public.

Court records note that a warrant was issued with no bond. Stanley was served Dec. 31 and remains in custody at the Osage County Detention Center as of Monday afternoon. An initial appearance in front of Associate Circuit Judge Sonya Day Brandt was scheduled for Jan. 6.