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CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (BFMG) — A former Missouri corrections officer is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping after authorities say one of his children reported that he killed his wife and forced children to participate.
Jonathan G. Houston, (44), was arrested following a 911 call Sunday morning from one of his seven children, according to the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
Court documents state that the child whispered during the call and alleged that Houston had held her and her siblings captive for five years and physically abused them.
Authorities traced the call to a hotel in Kingdom City, where deputies located Houston and the children.
During the investigation, one child told deputies that Houston strangled her mother at the hotel on Dec. 1, 2025, while some of the children were in the room, according to court documents.
Investigators allege Houston directed one child to pour hot water down the woman’s legs and another to cover her mouth during the attack. Beforehand, he allegedly placed the three youngest children in a bathroom and played music to muffle her screams.
Houston allegedly put his wife’s body in a trash bag and disposed of it in a dumpster on the hotel property, according to the probable cause statement. She had not been reported missing.
During an interview with investigators, Houston allegedly admitted killing his wife and planning the act in advance, court documents state.
Houston is being held without bond. According to the report, he was also the subject of prior investigations involving allegations of sexual assault and assaults against other victims.
All seven children were placed in protective custody, authorities said.
